- Rahul Gandhi criticized PM Modi's foreign policy at an event, claiming it was all about hugging leaders, and demonstrated this by hugging Sanjay Dikshit.
- Dikshit remarked about Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, prompting BJP leaders to condemn both Gandhi and Dikshit for using 'uncultured' language.
- A fake statement attributed to the Italian Embassy condemning Gandhi's remarks circulated on social media but was debunked as satire.
- The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized strong ties with Italy and the need for mutual respect in public discourse following Gandhi's comments.
- The BJP criticized Rahul Gandhi for mocking PM Modi's handling of foreign policy, accusing him of using 'uncultured and indecent' language.
- Union Minister Pralhad Joshi questioned when Gandhi would 'grow up', suggesting that running India requires mature leadership.
- Giriraj Singh escalated the attack, calling Gandhi 'mentally frustrated' and suggesting Sonia Gandhi should intervene.
Rahul Gandhi's recent comments on Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy, which he characterized as merely about hugging world leaders, have drawn sharp criticism from the BJP. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi questioned Gandhi's maturity, stating, "Running India requires mature leadership, not amateur dramatics."17
The BJP's backlash included accusations of Gandhi using "uncultured and indecent" language, with Union Minister Giriraj Singh labeling him as "mentally frustrated". Singh urged Sonia Gandhi to intervene for her son's well-being, emphasizing the need for decorum in political discourse.8
In response to Gandhi's remarks, the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated India's commitment to maintaining strong ties with Italy, highlighting the importance of "mutual respect" in international relations. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "We have strong ties with Italy. Our ties with Italy in recent years have expanded and strengthened."5
The controversy was further fueled by a fake statement attributed to the Italian Embassy, which was debunked as a satire account impersonating the official embassy. The Ministry confirmed that no such statement was issued, reinforcing the need for accurate representation in diplomatic matters.34
Gandhi's comments came during an event where he mocked Modi's foreign policy approach, leading to a heated exchange with Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, who questioned Gandhi's understanding of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The BJP has firmly condemned Gandhi's remarks, asserting that political disagreements should not descend into personal attacks or mockery of foreign leaders.
“The fake statement originated from a satirical X account with a blue verification mark, which was deleted after being reported. The Italian Embassy confirmed the account did not belong to them, while BJP leaders like Pralhad Joshi and Giriraj Singh escalated attacks, with Joshi questioning Gandhi's maturity.”
Deccan Herald
