Archive · 14 Aug 2026
BJP slams Rahul Gandhi, Sandeep Dikshit over 'Meloni' hug remark
Rahul Gandhi is a leader of a big political party in India called the Congress party.
He was speaking at a party meeting called the Rachnatmak Congress national convention.
During his speech, he talked about how the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, treats important guests from other countries.
While he was talking, he hugged his fellow party member Sandeep Dikshit.
Dikshit then made a joke, asking if Gandhi thought he was hugging Meloni, the leader of Italy.
A leader from a different party, Amit Malviya from the BJP, said the joke was not okay.
He said jokes like this are disrespectful to women and treat them like objects.
He said the problem is about basic decency, which means treating everyone with respect.
The two political parties are now arguing about whether the exchange was unacceptable.
BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya attacked Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Sandeep Dikshit over remarks made at the Rachnatmak Congress national convention.
Gandhi hugged Dikshit while criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gestures towards international dignitaries.
Dikshit quipped, “Meloni samajh ke toh nahi pakda tha? (You weren't hugging me thinking I was Meloni?)”, referencing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Malviya called the exchange “far more disturbing” than a mere “locker-room conversation”.
Malviya alleged the remarks reduced women in public life to “objects of gratification” and framed the issue as one of “basic decency”.
- Who
- Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Sandeep Dikshit, who were attacked by BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya; the remarks referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni.
- What
- BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya condemned Rahul Gandhi and Sandeep Dikshit over a 'Meloni' hug joke made while criticizing PM Modi's foreign policy.
- When
- Friday, August 14, at the Rachnatmak Congress national convention.
- Where
- Rachnatmak Congress national convention in India; Malviya's criticism was posted on X.
- Why
- Gandhi and Dikshit criticized PM Modi's gestures toward international dignitaries, and Malviya said the Meloni quip showed women in public life being 'reduced to objects of gratification'.
Congress Leaders' Stance
BJP's Stance
The 'Meloni' hug remark
Congress Leaders' Stance
Gandhi and Dikshit's exchange came as they aimed criticism at Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy and his gestures toward international dignitaries during the Rachnatmak Congress national convention.
BJP's Stance
Amit Malviya called the exchange 'far more disturbing' than a 'locker-room conversation', saying it reflected an attitude that reduces women in public life to 'objects of gratification'.
How the remarks should be judged
Congress Leaders' Stance
The Congress leaders focused their criticism on Modi's conduct toward international dignitaries rather than on any individual woman leader.
BJP's Stance
Malviya said the issue is not about political incorrectness but 'basic decency', and that the remarks should not be 'sanitised' with euphemisms.
- Attacker
- Amit Malviya, BJP IT Cell chief
- Targets
- Rahul Gandhi and Sandeep Dikshit, Congress MPs
- Event
- Rachnatmak Congress national convention
- The quip
- “Meloni samajh ke toh nahi pakda tha? (You weren't hugging me thinking I was Meloni?)”
- Referenced leader
- Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy
- Congress criticism
- PM Modi's foreign policy and gestures toward international dignitaries
- Malviya's charge
- Women in public life 'reduced to objects of gratification'
- Date of report
- Friday, August 14