POLITICAL CLASH (Pic Credit- X )
National News: The incident began when Congress leader Prakash Pagare shared a morphed image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi dressed in a sari. The image was paired with a song BJP leaders termed offensive. Outrage spread quickly, with BJP members calling the act an insult to the country’s highest office. By Tuesday evening, protests were underway in Dombivli, escalating into a dramatic showdown between rival cadres.
Angered by the post, BJP supporters allegedly summoned Pagare and made him wear a sari in public. The act was seen as a form of humiliation. The protest was led by BJP’s Kalyan district president Nandu Parab, who condemned Pagare’s post and warned against future attempts to “defame” party leaders. Parab said such acts would invite even stronger reactions.
#WATCH | Kalyan-Dombivli, Maharashtra | BJP workers allegedly draped Dombivli Congress worker Prakash 'Mama' Pagare in a saree after he shared a social media post showing a morphed image of PM Modi
— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2025
Congress leader Prakash 'Mama' Pagare says, "I had forwarded an existing post on… pic.twitter.com/2o6ERwaLb5
Congress leaders quickly hit back, condemning the BJP’s response as high-handed. Kalyan district Congress president Sachin Pote said Pagare, at 73, is a senior worker who should not have been treated this way. He argued that the proper step would have been lodging a police complaint rather than humiliating him on the streets.
The Congress called the retaliation an attack on freedom of expression. Pote accused BJP of double standards, saying their own supporters often post objectionable content against Congress leaders but are never held accountable. “If something was wrong in Pagare’s post, legal action was the path, not public humiliation,” he said, urging police to act against those involved.
The incident has deepened political divisions in Kalyan and nearby areas. Supporters of both parties engaged in heated arguments, and the atmosphere remained tense throughout the day. Police presence was increased in sensitive zones to prevent further clashes. Locals expressed concern that such public confrontations could lead to violence ahead of the upcoming elections.
BJP leaders doubled down on their stance, saying they will not tolerate disrespect toward Prime Minister Modi. “Posting such content again will invite harsher replies,” Parab warned. Meanwhile, Congress leaders vowed to fight what they termed “political bullying” and announced plans to take up the matter formally with higher authorities.
The episode has also reignited debate over the need for stricter social media regulations. While some argue laws are required to curb derogatory content, others warn that tough rules could limit free speech. Citizens remain divided on whether the state should step in, but both sides agree the current cycle of retaliation is dangerous for democracy.
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