Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai booked for ‘insulting’ remarks against PM Modi

Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai. File Image | Photo credit: PTI

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai has been booked for allegedly making inappropriate remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a program in Mahoba district, police said on Saturday (May 23, 2026).

The FIR was lodged at the Kotwali Nagar police station on Saturday (May 23) on the complaint of Neeraj Rawat, a BJP worker.

Also read | Rahul Gandhi’s ‘traitor’ remark on PM Modi reflects his ‘anarchic mindset’: BJP chief

According to the complaint, Mr. Rai attended a program organized by former Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee secretary Brijraj Ahirwar on May 22 at Samad Nagar locality. Mr. Rawat alleged that Mr. Rai came with a convoy of 15-16 vehicles and 25-30 supporters, causing obstruction on the public road and affecting normal movement in the area.

The complainant further alleged that police officers and administrative staff had to abandon their normal duties to maintain order at the site.

He also accused Mr Rai of using “indecent and inappropriate language” against the Prime Minister during the program and claimed that videos of the remarks later spread on social media.

An alleged video of Mr Rai went viral on Friday (May 22), in which he was heard making “insulting” remarks against Prime Minister Modi in Mahoba.

After ending the fake video and AI generated by the BJP, Mr. Rai told PTI that he would file a police complaint in the matter once he reaches Lucknow.

BJP leaders, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and BJP state president Pankaj Chaudhary, condemned the “offensive” remarks.

Police said an FIR was registered against Rai, Brijraj Ahirwar and 25-30 unidentified supporters.

The FIR was registered under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) including sections 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from performing duty), 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 196(1) (promoting enmity between different groups with intent to provoke) and breach of peace, police said.

In his complaint, Mr. Rawat alleged that the remarks had hurt public sentiments, created anger among BJP workers and created social tension. He submitted a disc containing the alleged viral video to the police as evidence and sought legal action against Rai, Brijraj Ahirwar and 25-30 unidentified supporters.

The development comes amid a political row in Uttar Pradesh over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent “treasonous” remarks against the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh during a rally in Raebareli.

Earlier this week, cross-complaints were filed in Lucknow against Mr Gandhi and Uttar Pradesh Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh over the BJP leader’s remarks and response to them.

Published – 23 May 2026 12:14 IST