Former Haryana minister triggers row after mentioning Godhra during praise for PM Modi

Former Haryana minister Subhash Sudha sparked a political controversy after mentioning the Godhra incident while trying to praise Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking to the media in Kurukshetra on October 7, Sudha was listing the prime minister's 25 years in public office when he made the remarks. He attended a Seva Jyoti Kalash Yatra programme alongside Haryana cabinet minister Krishan Lal Panwar. In a video that quickly went viral on social media, Sudha talked about Modi's years as Gujarat chief minister and said how he made schemes and did Godhra kand.

Reaction and Defence

The opposition was quick to react to the viral clip. Congress leader and Thanesar MLA Ashok Arora took a sharp jab at Sudha, stating that truth eventually comes out from the mouths of even those who lie all day. Arora is Sudha's old rival who defeated him in the 2004 assembly election after losing to him in 2014 and 2019. Following the backlash, Sudha called a press conference on Saturday to claim his words were twisted by the opposition. He announced plans to get the matter investigated and promised strictest action. During the same press conference, Sudha resumed praising Modi and listed several schemes including Jan Dhan, Swachh Bharat, Ayushman Bharat, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Context

Political leaders frequently face intense scrutiny over public remarks, especially when historical events involving sensitive communal flashpoints are brought into modern political speeches. Such viral controversies often highlight bitter local rivalries between competing parties ahead of upcoming legislative sessions or public campaigns.