New Delhi: A comic act featuring Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and stand-up comedian Pulkit Mani at an Indore student event has triggered a fresh political confrontation between the BJP and Congress, with the ruling party accusing Gandhi of allowing an objectionable reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late mother.
The controversy erupted after videos from the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme on September 19 showed Mani impersonating Modi, copying his mannerisms and style of speaking. Gandhi joined the exchange on stage and was seen laughing during parts of the performance. The act included references to Modi’s foreign policy style, interactions with world leaders and his mother.
BJP national spokesperson C.R. Kesavan sharply criticised Gandhi on September 20, alleging that the Congress leader had endorsed what he described as “uncouth” and “foul mouthed” behaviour. Kesavan said the episode amounted to disrespect towards women and an elderly mother. He also linked the controversy to Congress’s performance in recent student politics.
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi also attacked Gandhi, accusing him of showing a lack of political decorum by being associated with remarks concerning Modi’s late mother. BJP leaders including Kiren Rijiju and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also joined the criticism.
The episode came during an event primarily billed as a platform for students to raise concerns about education, recruitment and employment. Gandhi told students that institutions were failing to adequately address their questions and concerns, while also speaking about unemployment and examination related issues.
The Indore programme had already been surrounded by political controversy. The original venue was changed after permission for Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was not granted, with the Congress subsequently using an Indore Development Authority ground. Police imposed 31 conditions covering crowd management, security, surveillance, medical facilities, emergency evacuation and stage access.
The BJP had also questioned entertainment and dance performances associated with the programme before the event, while Congress maintained that the gathering was focused on issues affecting young people.
With the Pulkit Mani performance now at the centre of the political exchange, the BJP has focused on Gandhi’s presence and reaction on stage, while the wider event had been presented by Congress as an interaction with students. The competing narratives have turned what was planned as a youth focused programme into another flashpoint in the ongoing BJP Congress political battle.