BJP slams Rahul Gandhi over comedian's Modi mimicry at Indore event
Synopsis
A comedian's mimicry of PM Modi at a student event in Indore — with Rahul Gandhi on stage — has set off a fresh BJP-Congress flashpoint. Senior BJP leaders, including Praveen Khandelwal, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, and Sunil Sharma, accused Gandhi of reducing opposition politics to entertainment, with Congress yet to formally respond.
Key Takeaways
Comedian Pulkit Mani allegedly mimicked PM Narendra Modi 's gestures and laugh at the 'Chhatron ki Goonj' event in Indore on 19 September 2026 .
Rahul Gandhi was reportedly present on stage during the performance at the student-focused event in Madhya Pradesh .
BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said Gandhi 'can only entertain people but cannot wipe their tears.' Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi warned the controversy is 'destroying the Congress' standing.' J&K Assembly LoP Sunil Sharma called Gandhi's approach 'a degraded level of politics.' The Congress had not issued a formal response as of 21 September 2026 .
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Monday, 21 September launched a sharp offensive against Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, after comedian Pulkit Mani allegedly mimicked Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a student event in Indore on 19 September — with Gandhi reportedly present on stage. The controversy has reignited debate over the tone and tactics of opposition politics ahead of a busy electoral season.
What Happened at the Indore Event
The flashpoint was the 'Chhatron ki Goonj' programme, a student-focused gathering in Madhya Pradesh, where Gandhi addressed attendees. Comedian Pulkit Mani allegedly took to the stage and performed an imitation of PM Modi's characteristic laugh, hand gestures, and signature way of greeting people. The act was shared widely on social media and quickly drew political fire from the ruling party.
What BJP Leaders Said
BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal was among the first to respond, saying Gandhi should have exercised better judgement. 'Rahul Gandhi should have thought about whether this was appropriate. Rahul Gandhi should have taken that decision, but unfortunately, he failed to do so,' Khandelwal said. He further alleged that Gandhi had, alongside the comedian, 'established himself in the country as a comedian who can only entertain people but cannot wipe their tears.'
Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was more pointed in his criticism, calling the episode the peak of Congress's preoccupation with targeting the Prime Minister. 'Till how long will you keep on enjoying your comedy? When does the fun end? How long will you keep trying your luck through this kind of comedy and parody?' Naqvi asked. He added that 'this comedy and parody competition is destroying the Congress' standing; it is completely ruining it,' and warned that the party was 'losing whatever little political ground and respect it has left.'
In Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly LoP Sunil Sharma described Gandhi's approach as 'a degraded level of politics,' saying the conduct reflected either deep frustration or a deliberate attempt to pull political discourse 'in a completely new direction.'
Political Context and Pattern
This is not the first time the BJP has taken aim at Gandhi for sharing a platform with performers or comedians who satirise the Prime Minister. Critics argue such events are a legitimate form of political expression; the BJP, however, contends they reflect a lack of seriousness in the principal opposition. Notably, the Indore event comes amid Gandhi's ongoing outreach campaigns targeting youth voters — a demographic both parties are aggressively courting.
What Comes Next
The Congress is yet to issue a formal response to the BJP's criticism. The episode is expected to fuel further exchanges in Parliament and on the campaign trail. With state elections on the horizon, such incidents tend to become proxies for larger arguments about the dignity of political discourse — and both sides appear prepared to press their respective cases.
Point of View
Multi-voice response — Khandelwal, Naqvi, and Sharma all reacting within hours — signals a coordinated messaging push rather than spontaneous outrage. What is worth noting is the structural dynamic: every Gandhi public event that features satire of Modi hands the BJP a ready-made news cycle with zero cost to the ruling party. The Congress has yet to articulate a counter-narrative on whether political satire is a legitimate campaign tool or a liability. Until it does, it will keep playing defence on its own outreach events.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Indore 'Chhatron ki Goonj' event?
Comedian Pulkit Mani allegedly performed a mimicry of PM Narendra Modi's mannerisms — including his laugh, hand gestures, and way of greeting people — at the student-focused 'Chhatron ki Goonj' event in Indore on 19 September 2026. Rahul Gandhi was reportedly present on stage when the act took place.
Why are BJP leaders criticising Rahul Gandhi over the episode?
BJP leaders argue that Gandhi, as Leader of the Opposition, should have prevented or disassociated himself from an act that mocked the Prime Minister. They contend his failure to do so reflects poor judgement and reduces the opposition to political entertainment rather than serious governance critique.
What did BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal say about Rahul Gandhi?
Khandelwal said Gandhi 'should have thought about whether this was appropriate' and alleged that Gandhi had established himself as someone 'who can only entertain people but cannot wipe their tears.' He said Gandhi failed to take the right decision at the event.
How did senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi react?
Naqvi questioned how long the Congress would continue with 'comedy and parody,' warning that the conduct was 'destroying the Congress' standing.' He called the episode the peak of the party's fixation with mocking PM Modi and said Congress was losing 'whatever little political ground and respect it has left.'
Has the Congress responded to the BJP's criticism?
As of 21 September 2026, the Congress had not issued a formal response to the BJP's criticism. The party has not publicly commented on whether it endorses or distances itself from the comedian's act at the Indore event.
