The BJP unwittingly drew attention afresh to the RSS and the independence movement by demanding in the Rajya Sabha that Mallikarjun Kharge apologise for his unspecified remarks in Alwar on Monday but the Congress president stood his ground.

At a public rally in Rajasthan’s Alwar on Monday, Kharge had spoken about the border clashes with China and suggested that the BJP-led government at the Centre “roars like a lion but acts like a mouse”. But the Congress president had also questioned the participation of the Right-wing organisations in the freedom movement.

“They question the Congress’s patriotism even as our leaders laid down their lives for the country. In their homes, not even a dog died for the country,” Kharge had said.

On Tuesday in the Rajya Sabha, BJP members condemned Kharge’s comments but they did not specify which remarks they were referring to.

During Zero Hour, the treasury benches disrupted normal business as Leader of the House Piyush Goyal alleged that Kharge had made “uncivilised” comments.

“Yesterday, Kharge made uncivilised remarks. He made false comments. I condemn it. He should apologise to the House and the BJP. If he does not apologise, he has no right to remain present in this House,” Goyal said.

Kharge defended his statements by repeating the points he had made on the Congress’s contribution to India’s independence. He said there was no need to discuss the issue in the House as the remarks were made at Alwar during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

“If I repeat here what I said outside, it will create difficulty for these people. The people who pleaded for mercy during the freedom struggle are asking for apology from those who fought for freedom,” Kharge said.

“They termed the Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra a programme for the disintegration of India. The Congress has always spoken for a united India. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed their lives for the nation. Who are the people among you who have sacrificed lives for the unity of the country? What have you done for the nation?” he asked.

The freedom movement has of late become a touchy issue for the BJP and the Sangh parivar. They have been trying to appropriate the legacy of several freedom fighters and whitewash some ignominious episodes associated with their icons such as V.D.Savarkar.

Goyal did touch upon China, too, saying 38,000 sqkm of Indian territory was occupied by the Chinese when the Congress-led UPA was in power.

In the Lok Sabha, the treasury benches protested Khrage’s remarks, leading to an uproar in the House.

Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House for 15 minutes during Question Hour, after which the proceedings ran smoothly.