Agencies | Indore:
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has come under criticism from BJP leaders following a stage performance at his ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Indore, where a performer mimicked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and made remarks concerning his interactions with foreign leaders.
A video from the September 19 event, shared by the Congress on X, shows Gandhi on stage alongside the performer. The footage subsequently circulated widely on social media, prompting BJP leaders to question the nature of the act and Gandhi’s presence during the performance.
BJP leaders alleged that the performance crossed into personal remarks involving the Prime Minister and his late mother.
BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan criticised Gandhi in a post on X, alleging that he had shared the stage with individuals who made derogatory remarks about an elderly woman. Kesavan also alleged that Gandhi was seen laughing during the performance and questioned the appropriateness of the episode at a student-focused event.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also criticised the Congress leader, describing the episode as “shameful and disgusting” and alleging that the performance mocked the late mother of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Joshi said political differences should be fought over “policy and vision” rather than through personal remarks involving elders and parents. He also argued that the office of the Leader of Opposition carried responsibilities that, in his view, were not reflected in the episode.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also criticised the performance, objecting to what he described as offensive remarks concerning Modi’s late mother. Dhami additionally targeted Gandhi over his remarks concerning National Security Adviser Ajit Doval made during the same programme.
The controversy came during the fifth edition of Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’, a student outreach programme focused on education, recruitment, examinations and employment.
The Indore edition, held on September 19, was themed “system versus students”. Previous editions were held in Kota, Dehradun, Prayagraj and Pune.
During the interaction, Gandhi told students that the “system” was afraid of their questions and alleged that it wanted “andhbhakts” rather than students who questioned authority. He also raised concerns about examination paper leaks, vacant posts and delays in government recruitment.
Students at the programme raised several concerns related to recruitment and education in Madhya Pradesh.
A woman student from Rajgarh told Gandhi that candidates who had cleared state government examinations were facing uncertainty because appointments had been put on hold amid legal proceedings concerning OBC reservations.
Another student alleged that he and others had faced legal action after raising concerns over alleged irregularities in the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission.
Gandhi also offered to join the ongoing protest by teacher-job aspirants in the state. A tribal woman student raised concerns about inadequate hostel and other facilities for Adivasi students.
The Congress leader argued that education was a right and said governments should provide students with a complete pathway from schooling and nutrition support to higher education and employment.
He also raised issues concerning vacant teacher posts, scholarships and education spending.
The programme had already become a point of political contention between the BJP and Congress before Gandhi’s arrival in Indore.
Posters carrying the phrase “Jhooth Ki Goonj” appeared in the city. Congress alleged that the BJP was attempting to create obstacles for the programme, while the BJP said the posters reflected opposition among students to the event.
The latest controversy over the stage performance has added another political dimension to the student outreach programme, with BJP leaders focusing on the conduct of the performance while Congress has continued to highlight the student issues raised during Gandhi’s interaction.
