Controversy follows a comic performance at Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’; both sides put forward sharply different interpretations
Global Times News | INDIA ; GTNS
SEPTEMBER 21, 2026 , NEW DELHI: A political confrontation between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress intensified on Monday following a comic performance involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mannerisms at Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Indore.
The dispute began after a video from the September 19 event circulated on social media. Stand-up comedian Pulkit Mani performed a satirical act in which he impersonated Modi. Rahul Gandhi was present on stage during the performance.
The episode has since developed into a wider political argument over the boundaries of satire, the treatment of political leaders in public programmes and the substantive student-related issues that were discussed at the event.
BJP criticism
BJP leaders have criticised the performance and Rahul Gandhi’s presence on stage. Union ministers and other party leaders argued that the act crossed political and social boundaries, particularly because it included a reference to an interaction involving Modi and an elderly woman.
Union ministers Piyush Goyal and Kiren Rijiju, along with other BJP leaders, publicly criticised the Congress over the episode. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also commented on the controversy.
The BJP’s position is that the incident should not be treated simply as entertainment because it occurred at a political programme attended by the Leader of Opposition.
Congress response
Congress leaders have rejected the BJP’s interpretation. The party has maintained that Rahul Gandhi’s appearance at the programme was centred on students and their concerns, while the comic performance was satire.
Congress leaders including Supriya Shrinate and other party figures have argued that political leaders are subject to criticism, humour and satire in a democratic system. They have also disputed the allegation that the performance was intended to insult Modi’s late mother.
Students were the stated focus
The political controversy has overshadowed the principal themes of the Indore programme. ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ has been presented by Congress as a student-focused campaign dealing with issues such as examinations, paper leaks, recruitment, employment, education costs and hostel facilities.
At the Indore programme, Gandhi also raised concerns about accommodation for female students and the financial pressures faced by young people pursuing higher education.
Political dispute expands
The episode has now become another point of confrontation between the ruling BJP and the principal Opposition party. BJP leaders have continued to attack the Congress over the performance, while Congress leaders have defended the event and redirected attention toward student and education-related concerns.
The controversy has also drawn comments from leaders outside the two parties, illustrating how quickly a stage performance at a political event has become part of a broader national political debate.
The immediate dispute is therefore not limited to the performance itself. It has opened a larger argument about political satire, public conduct, opposition politics and the role of student issues in India’s current political discourse.
GTNS DESK | NEW DELHI