New Delhi, September 20: A political controversy erupted over Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s “Chhatron Ki Goonj” programme in Indore after a comedian mimicked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on stage, prompting a sharp response from the BJP.
Stand-up comedian Pulkit Mani performed an imitation of Modi during the student-focused event on Saturday, September 19. Gandhi was seen laughing during the performance, portions of which were subsequently shared on social media by the Congress. The BJP has alleged that the act went beyond political satire and mocked Modi’s interaction with an elderly woman as well as references to his late mother.
The BJP’s criticism was led by several senior leaders, who focused both on the content of the performance and Gandhi’s reaction to it.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Congress had become a “party of comedians and jokers” while reacting to the video. He questioned the propriety of the performance at an event ostensibly centred on students and criticised what he described as the mocking of an elderly woman and the Prime Minister.
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Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi accused Gandhi and the Congress of reaching an “absolute nadir of moral bankruptcy.” Joshi alleged that a student interaction had been used to mock and insult Modi’s late mother and said this reflected what he described as a lack of basic human empathy and political culture.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also attacked Gandhi over the episode, arguing that a mother should not be made a subject of political ridicule. Dhami said political opponents could criticise Modi, but objected to what he characterised as remarks concerning his late mother. He also questioned Gandhi’s decision to laugh during the performance.
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Joke?💔
Rahul Gandhi’s ‘chhatton ki goonj’ event in indore has sparked a fresh social media debate after comedian Pulkit mani performed a mimicry of prime minister Narendra Modi on stage…. pic.twitter.com/uA1fNaznxV— Manik (@manik2s) September 20, 2026
BJP national spokesperson C.R. Kesavan mounted a particularly detailed attack. He accused Gandhi of sharing a stage with people who, according to his interpretation of the performance, mocked an elderly woman by referring to her as a “setting”. Kesavan said Gandhi was seen laughing during the remarks and described the episode as “uncouth culture.” He argued that such conduct was one reason he believed Gandhi and the Congress had failed to resonate with young people.
Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi described the episode as “sheer immaturity, political bankruptcy” and an example of what he called political indecency, accusing Gandhi of insulting Modi’s mother.
BJP leaders also broadened their criticism beyond the mimicry controversy to Gandhi’s larger student outreach programme.
Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan challenged Gandhi’s portrayal of the education system, arguing that students required concrete solutions rather than what he described as political theatre. Pradhan pointed to government measures relating to higher education, education loans, examination reforms and efforts to address irregularities in competitive examinations.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav similarly hit back at Gandhi’s criticism of the state’s education system, calling the programme “Jhoot Ki Goonj” (Echo of Lies) and arguing that Gandhi should have presented facts and data while discussing education and students.
The BJP’s criticism came against the backdrop of Gandhi’s broader attack on what he called the “system” during the Indore programme. Gandhi told students that the system did not want young people who questioned authority and instead favoured people who followed without asking questions. He raised issues including paper leaks, recruitment delays, examination irregularities, teacher vacancies and problems in educational institutions.
The Congress, meanwhile, has rejected the BJP’s characterisation of the episode as an insult. Congress leaders have described the performance as mimicry and satire, arguing that Gandhi himself did not make the remarks attributed to the comedian. Senior Congress leader Harish Rawat said such episodes could form part of political discourse, while other Congress leaders defended the performance as political satire.
The controversy therefore has two distinct dimensions. The first concerns whether the comedian’s references to Modi, an elderly woman and his late mother crossed the line from political satire into personal insult—a question on which the BJP and Congress have sharply different interpretations. The second concerns the substance of Gandhi’s student outreach, with the Congress highlighting unemployment, examination irregularities and institutional problems, while BJP leaders have challenged his account and pointed to government education measures.
The BJP’s criticism of Gandhi’s reaction is also central to the controversy. Its leaders have argued that Gandhi’s laughter while the performance was taking place amounted to endorsement of the remarks. The Congress, however, has maintained that the episode should be understood as a comedian’s political mimicry rather than as a statement personally made by Gandhi.
The episode has consequently shifted attention from the student issues raised at “Chhatron Ki Goonj” to a fresh political confrontation between the BJP and Congress over political satire, personal references involving political leaders and the boundaries of political discourse.
