New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party mounted a stinging attack on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, accusing him of demeaning women through a piece of stand-up comedy he delivered at a recent public event. BJP national spokesperson C.R. Kesavan released a video statement early Wednesday morning in which he said Gandhi had deliberately insulted women by ridiculing a frail mother figure.
The controversy centres on Gandhi's comedic act, which reportedly included jokes referencing his mother, Sonia Gandhi, in a manner that BJP leaders called deeply offensive. Kesavan described the remarks as “foul-mouthed” and argued they crossed the line of decent public discourse, especially given Gandhi’s stature as a senior political leader.
“When a man in a position of influence makes light of a mother’s dignity on stage, he does not merely mock one woman — he undermines the respect every Indian mother deserves,” Kesavan said in his statement. He further urged Gandhi to apologise and reflect on the impact of his words before any larger social damage was done.
The BJP has historically been quick to challenge Gandhi’s unconventional fundraising rallies, which frequently feature comedy routines alongside political messaging. Critics within the party have repeatedly flagged these events as an attempt to draw younger voters through entertainment, but warned that the boundary between humour and insult often blurs.
As of Wednesday evening, no direct response had been issued by the Indian National Congress regarding the BJP’s allegations. Political observers noted that the exchange is likely part of a wider rhetorical battle ahead of upcoming state-level political engagements, with both parties using each other’s missteps to energise their respective bases.
