---
title: "Rahul Gandhi's 'hugging' jibe at PM Modi sparks political row"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/rahul-gandhi-hugging-jibe-modi-govt-row-ldrmb
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Politics
published: 2026-08-14T02:00:29.896Z
modified: 2026-08-14T05:30:04.733Z
language: en-IN
---

# Rahul Gandhi's 'hugging' jibe at PM Modi sparks political row

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy approach, likening it to 'hugging leaders.' This statement ignited a sharp reaction from the ruling BJP, who condemned his language and conduct.

## Key takeaways

- Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy, likening it to 'hugging leaders'.
- Gandhi demonstrated his point by hugging Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit during a convention.
- The BJP condemned Gandhi's remarks and language, calling them 'objectionable and indecent'.
- Gandhi also alleged that the government was attempting to hide Chinese incursions in Arunachal Pradesh.

Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday sparked a political controversy with his remarks on the current government's foreign policy. Addressing the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention, Gandhi asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approach to foreign policy was centered on 'hugging leaders'.

To illustrate his point, Gandhi then hugged Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, who was present at the convention. The exchange took a turn when Dikshit humorously questioned if Gandhi had mistaken him for Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni during the embrace. Gandhi reportedly replied that he had not yet reached that level of misidentification.

## Political Fallout

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly responded to Gandhi's comments. BJP leaders criticized his remarks as "objectionable and indecent language" and a decline in political conduct. Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi accused Gandhi of insulting the Indian people by attacking the Prime Minister, stating that leading India requires maturity beyond "amateur dramatics" and calling the government "jokers and clowns". BJP MP Sambit Patra also condemned Gandhi's language as "shameful" for democratic political culture.

## Allegations on Border Policy

In addition to his foreign policy critique, Gandhi also alleged that the government was attempting to conceal Chinese incursions along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh. He claimed that Chinese forces had prevented Indian troops from patrolling specific areas. The government had not immediately responded to these allegations, and there was no official statement regarding developments in Arunachal Pradesh.

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/rahul-gandhi-hugging-jibe-modi-govt-row-ldrmb
Reported from: Multiple Sources