Archive · 13 Aug 2026
BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi Over 'Vulgar' Remarks on Modi, Meloni
In India, a big argument is happening between two political groups.
Rahul Gandhi is an important leader who speaks for the opposition in India's parliament.
He made jokes about the country's leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the leader of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, while speaking at a meeting of his own party.
In a video, Gandhi hugged another leader named Sandeep Dikshit, who joked about being mistaken for Meloni.
Gandhi also said Modi does not sleep at night and called his political rivals a bunch of jokers.
The ruling party, called the BJP, got very angry about what he said.
Many BJP leaders said his words were rude and not how a serious leader should talk, and one minister told him to grow up.
Others said the jokes were unfair to everyone who voted for Modi.
Many people online also said the jokes were disrespectful, especially toward a woman leader.
The BJP accused Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of using 'uncultured, crude and vulgar' language and 'cheap innuendo and locker-room talk' targeting PM Narendra Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni.
The controversy stems from a viral video in which Gandhi said foreign policy is not about 'hugging politicians' and embraced Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, who quipped about being mistaken for Meloni.
At the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention, Gandhi called the BJP-RSS a 'bunch of jokers,' claimed Modi 'does not sleep at night,' and said the RSS has become an 'instrument of large capital — Mr Adani and Mr Ambani.'
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi told Gandhi to 'grow up,' saying insulting the prime minister mocks millions of voters who chose Modi for 'three historic terms.'
Social media users and BJP leaders described the episodes as 'gutter-level,' 'disgusting' and 'shameful,' accusing Gandhi of objectifying a woman leader.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, attacked by BJP leaders; his remarks targeted PM Narendra Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni.
- What
- The BJP condemned Gandhi's viral remarks — including a hug-and-quip video with Sandeep Dikshit and 'bunch of jokers' comments — as vulgar, indecent and undignified locker-room talk.
- When
- Thursday, August 13, when the BJP launched its attack.
- Where
- New Delhi, India, venue of the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention.
- Why
- The BJP said Gandhi's language lowered the dignity of the Leader of the Opposition's office, insulted a democratically elected prime minister and objectified a foreign woman leader.
Gandhi's Political Critique
BJP's Decorum Complaint
Nature of the remarks
Gandhi's Political Critique
Gandhi framed his comments as political criticism, saying foreign policy should not be about 'hugging politicians,' that Modi 'does not sleep at night' for obvious and hidden reasons, and that the government fears 'India's expression.'
BJP's Decorum Complaint
The BJP called the language 'uncultured, crude and vulgar' locker-room talk; Swaraj said Gandhi looked like a 'failed stand-up comedian,' Bhandari accused him of behaving 'like a clown,' and Joshi told him to 'grow up.'
Reference to Giorgia Meloni
Gandhi's Political Critique
The viral clip shows the exchange as a lighthearted moment between party colleagues, with Dikshit himself joking about being mistaken for Meloni.
BJP's Decorum Complaint
BJP leaders and social media users called the episode 'gutter-level,' 'disgusting' and 'shameful,' accusing Gandhi of endorsing the objectification of a woman leader and mocking a foreign head of government.
Attacks on the government and RSS
Gandhi's Political Critique
Gandhi said the RSS as an original force is dead and has become an 'instrument of large capital — Mr Adani and Mr Ambani,' and that the BJP-RSS are a 'bunch of jokers' with no understanding of India.
BJP's Decorum Complaint
Joshi said calling a democratically elected government 'jokers and clowns' attacks the intelligence of millions of voters who chose Modi for three historic terms.
- Parties involved
- BJP vs. Rahul Gandhi (Indian National Congress)
- Gandhi's targets
- PM Narendra Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni
- Key BJP critics
- Bansuri Swaraj, Pralhad Joshi, Sukanta Majumdar, Vanathi Srinivasan, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Pradeep Bhandari and Radha Mohan Singh
- Trigger
- Viral video of Gandhi hugging Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit
- Venue of remarks
- Rachnatmak Congress National Convention, New Delhi
- Other Gandhi remarks
- BJP-RSS 'a bunch of jokers'; Modi 'does not sleep at night'; RSS 'instrument of large capital' (Adani, Ambani)
- Modi record cited by BJP
- Nine Free Trade Agreements covering 38 countries
- Social media reaction
- 'Gutter-level,' 'disgusting' and 'shameful' comments
