Archive · 25 Aug 2026
UP Congress Boycotts Debates After Alleged Raju Das Abuse
The Uttar Pradesh Congress says a temple priest named Raju Das used insulting words and made a threat during a television debate.
The alleged target was Congress spokesperson Kunwar Singh Nishad.
Congress says the debate had to stop because of what happened.
The party says its speakers will not join debates where Das is also a panellist.
It wants the original recording and other evidence checked fairly.
Congress says action should be taken if the allegations are proven.
Das had not made a public statement about the accusation.
The dispute is connected to a separate argument about whether Congress leader Ajay Rai ate fish during the Hindu month of Sawan.
The Uttar Pradesh Congress said its spokespersons will boycott television debates featuring Hanuman Garhi priest Raju Das.
The party alleges Das abused and threatened Congress spokesperson Kunwar Singh Nishad during a Doordarshan News debate.
Congress media chairman C P Rai said the live programme was stopped midway after the incident.
The party demanded an impartial review of the recording, video footage and digital evidence, with legal action if allegations are proven.
The dispute comes amid a separate row over an alleged fish feast involving UP Congress chief Ajay Rai during Sawan.
- Who
- The Uttar Pradesh Congress, Raju Das, Congress spokesperson Kunwar Singh Nishad, and C P Rai.
- What
- Congress announced a boycott of television debates featuring Das, alleging that he abused and threatened Nishad during a live debate.
- When
- The disputed debate took place on Monday; the boycott was announced on Tuesday, August 25.
- Where
- The alleged incident occurred during a Doordarshan News debate; the report was datelined Lucknow and concerns Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- Congress said the boycott was in response to Das' alleged abusive and threatening conduct and demanded an impartial review of the evidence.
Congress' allegations and position
Raju Das' position
Conduct during debate
Congress' allegations and position
Congress said Raju Das crossed the limits of decency, abused Kunwar Singh Nishad and threatened to assault him during the live programme.
Raju Das' position
Raju Das had not issued a statement responding to the allegations, so his account was not available.
Appropriate response
Congress' allegations and position
Congress said political disagreements should be handled through arguments and demanded an impartial evidence review followed by legal action if the allegations are proved.
Raju Das' position
No opposing response from Das was reported.
Fish-feast controversy
Congress' allegations and position
Congress said there was no proof that state president Ajay Rai ate fish, defended Nishad community food traditions and challenged Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to produce photographic or video evidence.
Raju Das' position
The BJP and Yogi Adityanath criticised the alleged consumption of fish during Sawan in Ayodhya.
- Boycott policy
- UP Congress said its spokespersons will not participate in debates on channels where Raju Das is a panellist.
- Alleged target
- Congress spokesperson Kunwar Singh Nishad.
- Alleged conduct
- Congress accused Das of using obscene and abusive language, including an insult involving Nishad's mother, and threatening assault.
- Programme
- The alleged incident occurred during a live debate on Doordarshan News.
- Congress demand
- The party called for examination of the original recording, video footage and digital evidence.
- Raju Das' response
- The report said Das had not yet issued a statement.
- Related controversy
- The dispute followed a political row over an alleged fish feast at a Nishad community event in Ayodhya during Sawan.