On October 1, 2025, Indian political circles were rocked by a wave of outrage after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah publicly condemned an alleged death threat against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The threat, made by former Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) leader Printu Mahadevan during a televised debate, has drawn sharp criticism from across the political spectrum and raised urgent questions about the tenor of political discourse in the country.
According to The Economic Times and corroborated by multiple Indian news outlets, the controversy erupted after Mahadevan, participating in a television debate on protests in Bangladesh and Nepal, allegedly declared, "We will shoot Rahul Gandhi in the chest, beware," targeting the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. In another reported version, Mahadevan said, "Bullets will pierce his chest," referring directly to Gandhi. The remarks, made in the heat of a public broadcast, quickly circulated on social media and provoked widespread condemnation.
Siddaramaiah, clearly shaken by the gravity of the threat, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his shock and concern. "The shocking fact that a spokesperson of @BJP4India has openly issued a death threat saying, 'We will shoot Rahul Gandhi in the chest, beware..!!', aimed at the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Shri Rahul Gandhi, who has been consistently raising his voice against the BJP and the Sangh Parivar, has left the nation stunned," he wrote. The Chief Minister's words, echoing the alarm felt by many, underscored the seriousness of the situation and the potential consequences of such incendiary rhetoric.
But Siddaramaiah did not stop at condemning the threat alone. He went further, questioning the silence of the country's top leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. "The silence of Prime Minister @narendramodi and Home Minister @AmitShah on such a statement has naturally led everyone to wonder whether they, too, endorse this view," Siddaramaiah stated. The absence of any immediate response from the central leadership, he suggested, only deepened public anxiety and suspicion about the prevailing political climate.
The police in Kerala acted swiftly following a complaint by KPCC secretary Sreekumar C C. The Peramangalam police registered a case against Mahadevan, who was arrested on the night of September 30, 2025. However, in a move that has also sparked debate, Mahadevan was later granted bail. The legal proceedings underscored the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case, though critics argue that bail in such cases sends mixed signals about accountability and deterrence.
Siddaramaiah, in his public remarks, connected the latest threat to what he described as a longstanding pattern of violence against ideological opponents by the Sangh Parivar and its affiliates. "Threatening ideological opponents to silence their voices, and when that fails, resorting to eliminating them altogether is nothing new to the BJP and the Sangh Parivar," the Chief Minister alleged. He cited a grim list of historical victims, including Mahatma Gandhi, Govind Pansare, Narendra Dabholkar, M. M. Kalaburagi, and Gauri Lankesh—all figures who were assassinated for their outspoken views.
"Are the victims of the Sangh Parivar's extremists just one or two? The list of killings, beginning with Mahatma Gandhi, has continued to grow with Govind Pansare, Narendra Dabholkar, M. M. Kalaburagi, Gauri Lankesh, and many more," Siddaramaiah asserted, according to The Economic Times. He further charged that while leaders of the Sangh Parivar often distance themselves from the actions of such killers, they "have never been able to wash away the stains of blood on their hands."
The Chief Minister also used the occasion to reflect on his own experiences, revealing that he, along with many writers, thinkers, and activists in India, has received death threats in the past. "In the past too, not only I but also many writers, thinkers, and activists in the country have received death threats in the form of letters. The police are investigating these incidents," Siddaramaiah said. Despite these threats, he insisted that he has "never been one to cower before such threats or betray the ideals" he believes in. With a note of determination, he added, "I am confident that one day all these evil forces will have to bow before justice."
The threat against Rahul Gandhi also brought back painful memories of the assassinations of his grandmother, Indira Gandhi, and his father, Rajiv Gandhi. Siddaramaiah pointedly reminded the public of this tragic family history: "It was at the hands of such killers that Rahul Gandhi lost both his grandmother and his father. Let the murderous minds in the BJP know that Rahul Gandhi is no longer alone, he has the unwavering support of millions of workers and citizens."
The incident has reignited debate about the boundaries of political speech in India and the responsibilities of public figures to maintain civility, even amid fierce ideological battles. Critics of the BJP and the Sangh Parivar argue that the use of inflammatory rhetoric and threats of violence are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of intimidation against dissenting voices. Supporters of the BJP, on the other hand, often contend that such accusations are politically motivated and that the party does not condone violence or threats against opponents.
For many observers, the episode serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the coarsening of political discourse in India. The fact that such a threat was made openly on national television, and that it targeted a senior leader like Rahul Gandhi, has sent shockwaves through both the political establishment and the general public. It has also prompted calls for greater accountability and for political parties across the spectrum to unequivocally denounce hate speech and threats of violence.
Meanwhile, the legal process against Printu Mahadevan is expected to proceed, with close scrutiny from both the media and civil society groups. As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about how such incidents can be prevented in the future and what steps can be taken to ensure that political debate, however heated, does not cross the line into incitement or physical danger.
In the midst of this turmoil, Siddaramaiah's words ring out with a sense of urgency and hope: "I am confident that one day all these evil forces will have to bow before justice." Whether that confidence is borne out in the coming months may well depend on the actions of leaders, law enforcement, and the wider public alike.