BJP leaders slammed the Prime Minister’s facial expressions at Rahul Gandhi’s student event

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi addresses the ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ event in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Photo credit:

A political row erupted in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday (September 20, 2026) when BJP leaders criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for introducing an impersonation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by standup comedian Pulkit Mani at a student interaction event in Indore.

Mr. Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was seen laughing during Mr. Mani’s performance at his ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event. In the act, Mr. Mani appeared to mimic Mr. Modi’s interactions with foreign leaders and others. While Mr. Mani did not name the prime minister in his act, Mr. Gandhi said, “How are you Modi ji?” and hugged him.

Another part of the act where Mr. Mani appeared to mock the Prime Minister for asking for a chair for an elderly woman in a rally was the most engaging. Similar performances by the comedian have gone viral on social media before.

‘Insulting Mothers’ Honor’

Shortly after the event, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav shared a clip of the act and said Mr Gandhi’s attitude was “extremely shameful”.

“This irresponsible attitude of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is extremely shameful, reprehensible and indecent. By insulting the honor of our country’s culture and mothers, he has encouraged the future of the youth in a wrong direction,” Mr. Yadav wrote on X late September 19.

“Our visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, who set an exemplary example by giving honor to mothers above all else, is being mocked in this way, which is an insult to mothers across the country,” he said, seeking an apology from the Congress.

“Cheap Political Theater”

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the act amounted to “cheap political theatre”.

“Uncultured angry uncle! The irony speaks for itself. The need to come on stage every now and then just to drag PM Modiji’s name into cheap political theater never ceases to amaze me. Look in the mirror Mr. Rahul Gandhi,” Mr. Goyal said on X.

Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai invoked the Delhi University Student Union (DUSU) election results to review Mr Gandhi’s event and claimed that ABVP’s victory showed that the youth of the country was with the BJP.

Previous mockery of Prime Minister exposed

While the Congress is yet to officially respond to the BJP’s allegation, sources say many party members “disapproved”.

However, various Congress supporters on social media shared an old clip of Mr Modi’s interaction with students from 2019, in which he was apparently seen mocking Mr Gandhi as dyslexic.

During a video conference with a group of students gathered at IIT-Kharagpur, Mr. Modi interrupted a student who was explaining how her project could help dyslexic children and asked with a laugh if it could also help a “40 to 50-year-old child.”

As the girl said, “Yes, she can,” Mr. Modi further added, “then the mother of such children will be very happy.” His comments, which drew laughter from the audience, were seen as shots at Mr. Gandhi.

At his event in Indore, Mr Gandhi claimed that a “system” run by a handful of powerful people like Mr Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and a few bureaucrats and businessmen had captured the country and damaged students and the education system. He claimed that the “system” does not want students who ask questions and instead prefers “andhbhaktas (blind followers)”.

Following this controversy, Mr. Mani said in an Instagram story that his upcoming show, scheduled to be held in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, has been canceled “due to unforeseen circumstances”. District Magistrate Gautam Budh Nagar Medha Roopam, under whose jurisdiction Noida falls, was not available for comment on Sunday evening, while some other district officials said they were not aware of the show or any decision regarding it.

Published – 20 Sep 2026 22:11 IST