PM Modi mimicry at Rahul Gandhi event sparks row, What happened?

A political row has erupted after a comedian mimicked Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event in Indore, with the BJP accusing the Congress leader of allowing remarks that mocked an elderly woman and referred to Modi's late mother.

The incident took place during the student-focused event on Saturday, where stand-up comedian Pulkit Mani performed a short act mimicking Modi's mannerisms and his style of speaking with foreign leaders. The act also referred to Modi's mother and an interaction involving an elderly woman at one of the Prime Minister's rallies.

A video from the event showed Rahul Gandhi on stage during the performance. The BJP shared the video on social media and criticised Gandhi over his presence and reaction during the act.

The BJP said political differences should be based on policies and issues and accused the Congress leader of crossing a line by allowing remarks involving Modi's late mother.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi criticised the episode, alleging that the student interaction was being used to mock Modi's mother. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also reacted to the controversy, saying that a mother should not be made a subject of political attacks.

BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan also criticised Gandhi for sharing the stage during the performance and alleged that the comedian's remarks were disrespectful towards an elderly woman.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme, where he interacted with students and raised issues related to education, recruitment, examinations and employment. Gandhi also criticised what he described as a system that does not adequately address the concerns of students.

The BJP's criticism has now shifted attention from the student-focused discussions at the event to the mimicry act and the references to Modi and his family. The incident has triggered a fresh exchange between the BJP and Congress on political satire, public conduct and the limits of criticism involving family members.

The BJP has continued to target Gandhi over the episode, while the incident has become the latest flashpoint in the ongoing political confrontation between the two parties.