New Delhi, Oct. 26 -- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his remark about the late father of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing shock and hurt and accusing the Congress of defending the statement instead of expressing regret.

The controversy erupted during an address by Mallikarjun Kharge at the 139th birth anniversary celebrations of Bihar's first Chief Minister, Dr Krishna Singh, in Patna.

A commotion broke out when an attendee in the gathering interrupted Kharge by stating that PM Modi would not go anywhere, prompting the Congress president to retort from the stage, "Modi ka baap bhi jayega" (Even Modi's father will have to go).

Speaking to the media, Singh said Kharg...