Rajasthan: Man detained in Kota for threatening to 'shoot' Rahul Gandhi and 25 other Congress MPs
Times of India
by TOI NEWS DESKFebruary 19, 2026
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A man identified as Raj Singh, claiming to be a spokesperson for the right-wing group Karni Sena, was detained by Rajasthan police in Kota after uploading a video threatening to shoot Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader and Opposition MP, along with 25 other Congress MPs. The threats were made in response to an incident during the recent Budget session of Parliament, where Singh alleged that Congress MPs verbally abused Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. In the video, Singh warned that if such incidents recurred, he would “enter the homes” of the MPs and vandalize them, specifically targeting Gandhi and threatening to shoot him.
Singh’s threats included a deadline for the arrest of the 25 MPs, warning that they would be targeted individually if not apprehended within 24 hours. The video also displayed a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Speaker Om Birla shaking hands in the background. Following its circulation on social media, police in Kota acted swiftly, detaining Singh at the Borkheda police station for questioning. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Karni Sena have denied any association with the individual, with BJP Kota city president Rakesh Jain emphasizing that the party has no connection to Singh’s actions or ideologies.
The incident has sparked concerns over political tensions and security threats in India’s democratic framework. Congress MP KC Venugopal criticized theBJP ecosystem for creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, accusing them of failing to protect the rights of opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi. The case highlights the broader challenges faced by MPs in safely exercising their political roles, particularly in a charged environment where threats against public figures are increasingly common. This incident underscores the fragile balance between political dissent and safety in India’s parliamentary system.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/19/2026