Published : 14 Aug 2026, 05:45 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:32 AM
India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after he mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach to foreign policy and described the BJP-RSS as a “bunch of jokers”.
“Rahul Gandhi, when will you grow up?” Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said as several senior BJP figures criticised the opposition leader over remarks he made at the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention on Thursday, broadcaster NDTV reports.
During his speech, Gandhi suggested Modi reduced foreign policy to public displays of warmth with other world leaders.
He staged an embrace with Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on stage to illustrate his criticism of the prime minister’s diplomacy. Gandhi implied that the prime minister oversimplifies diplomacy by focusing on symbolic gestures like hugging foreign leaders.
Dikshit then referred to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the exchange, with Gandhi responding to the remark.
Gandhi also described the BJP and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, as a “bunch of jokers” who did not understand India.
The comments drew a swift rebuke from BJP leaders.
Joshi accused Gandhi of insulting both the prime minister and the Indian electorate.
"Rahul Gandhi, when will you grow up? Running India requires mature leadership, not amateur dramatics. Calling a democratically elected government 'jokers and clowns' proves you are out of your depth," Joshi said.
"The prime minister is an elected leader. Unlike Rahul Gandhi and his family, he did not ascend through a hierarchy, nor did he rise due to family lineage or dynastic politics. The words being used, the level to which one is stooping, reflect sheer stupidity and frustration on Rahul Gandhi's part. It is this frustration that drives him to use abusive language," he added.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh escalated the attack, calling Rahul Gandhi "mentally frustrated". He also advised Sonia Gandhi to "get him help".
"Rahul Gandhi appears to be mentally frustrated. His conduct has crossed all limits of decency. If Sonia Gandhi does not intervene and ensure that he receives appropriate help, the situation could become serious," the minister said.
BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said Gandhi's language was contrary to the dignity expected of the Leader of Opposition.
"The kind of uncultured, obscene, and indecent language used by Rahul Gandhi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji is completely contrary to the dignity of a constitutional position like that of the Leader of the Opposition," she said.
Swaraj said the country needs a Leader of Opposition who plays the role of a "constructive opposition", rather than one who engages in "cheap rhetoric for social media memes and reels".
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar called Gandhi's remarks a new low in public discourse.
"Vulgar jokes targeting PM Narendra Modi ji and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, with Congress leaders laughing along, are deeply disgraceful. This is a new low in public discourse. Strongly condemn it," he said in a post on X.
