A war of words has erupted between the BJP and the Congress over Rahul Gandhi’s attendance at a stand-up event as part of the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event in Indore, where comedian Pulkit Mani mimicked Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mani imitated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's “my friend” phrase, his diplomatic hugs, and his way of speaking with foreign leaders and even his playful coin tricks with children. Rahul Gandhi played along and later remarked on Modi's foreign policy. "You're not just visiting a friend's house. The role of the Prime Minister of India isn't just about maintaining friendships. His job is to protect the country," Rahul Gandhi said.
The video soon went viral on social media, after which the BJP registered its strong opposition. BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan accused him of insulting the Prime Minister, women, and the elderly.
"Rahul Gandhi shared the stage yesterday with cheap, vulgar trolls who insulted our Naari Shakti by mocking a frail elderly Mataji as a “setting.” No decent, right-thinking person would find such foul-mouthed antics amusing. But Rahul Gandhi was seen laughing out loud on the stage. This uncouth culture endorsed by Rahul Gandhi explains why he has failed to connect or resonate with the youth, as pointed out by his Congress colleague, Mr Shashi Tharoor,” Kesavan said.
Sharing a video of an elderly woman who came to meet the Prime Minister, Kesavan wrote: While the PM, in a thoughtful gesture, ensured a chair for the aged elder, Rahul Gandhi indulges in revelry when they are being shamelessly disrespected. Rahul Gandhi, who supports such clowns and crude circus shows, lacks both the gravity and gravitas to be taken seriously as a political leader,” he added.
His words were echoed by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who said the Congress Party has become a party of comedians and jokers. Education Minister Pralhad Joshi too lashed out at Congress. “Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party have stooped to an absolute nadir of moral bankruptcy. Weaponising a student interaction to mock and insult the late mother of PM Modi ji reveals a shocking lack of basic human empathy and political culture," he said.
The Congress chose to ignore the criticism, instead focusing on Rahul’s statements during the youth outreach programme 'Chhatron Ki Goonj'.
Rahul Gandhi had alleged that a rotten "system", especially in education, had captured the country and did not want students to ask questions, instead wanting "andhbhakts". “Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi ji unveiled the secret of that system which has been suppressing students. Who is this system? It is those people from BJP-RSS who have seized control over the entire country's administration. Over education, the economy, politics, and institutions. They have hollowed out and corrupted the education system. This system fears students. Today, students are asking questions and demanding accountability. Now, Rahul ji stands with them; the students' fear has ended. Their voice is echoing across the entire country,” he said.
However, senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Harish Rawat chose to downplay BJP’s accusations, while supporting Rahul Gandhi. "When you are in a position in politics, such things have to be accepted as a natural process. This attitude of the BJP - where they behave as if even a fly should not sit on them - is not democratic at all. In a democracy, it is very important to understand that such things are a natural part of the game,” he said.
