Congress Leader Kharge Accuses BJP of Targeting Rahul Gandhi with Misleading Propaganda

In a sharp escalation of political rhetoric, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the BJP of attempting to tarnish Rahul Gandhi’s image through what he termed as “false propaganda” regarding the ‘Gamosa’ controversy that erupted following Republic Day celebrations.

The dispute centers on allegations that Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, disrespected the cultural traditions of Northeast India by allegedly refusing to wear the traditional Assamese ‘Gamosa’ presented to guests at President Droupadi Murmu’s Republic Day reception.

“This is a lie,” Kharge told PTI on Tuesday, forcefully defending Gandhi. “Even the Defence Minister was not wearing the ‘Gamosa’…the BJP president was also not wearing it. He [Gandhi] was holding it in his hand after wearing it.”

The ‘Gamosa’ is a traditional hand-woven cotton towel that holds significant cultural importance in Assam and is often presented as a symbol of respect and honor. The controversy gained traction after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma demanded an “unconditional apology” from Gandhi, claiming his actions were “deeply insensitive and insulting” to the people of the entire Northeast region.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla amplified the criticism on social media, calling Gandhi’s alleged actions “shameful” and claiming he had “insulted the north-east and also disrespected our very honourable President.”

The Congress quickly countered these claims with photographic evidence showing that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had also not worn the traditional scarf during the event. Pawan Khera, head of the Congress media and publicity department, publicly questioned whether the Assam Chief Minister would similarly demand an apology from Singh.

Kharge, who was present at the event, described himself as “an eyewitness” and explained that both he and Gandhi had removed the ‘Gamosa’ while eating and placed them on the table. “These people want to destroy Rahul Gandhi’s image through false propaganda, but they will never succeed,” Kharge asserted.

Beyond the cultural controversy, Kharge raised another grievance regarding the seating arrangements at the Republic Day parade, claiming that the government had “insulted” both him and Gandhi by placing them in the third row. “We were made to sit behind kids, we were made to sit next to ministers of state. They should apologize to us,” he said, suggesting that the seating arrangement reflected a deliberate slight against opposition leadership.

The ‘Gamosa’ controversy is playing out against the backdrop of intensifying political tensions between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress as both parties position themselves for future electoral contests. The Northeast region, with its distinctive cultural identities and political sensitivities, has become increasingly important in national political calculations.

Political analysts note that cultural symbols like the ‘Gamosa’ often become flashpoints in India’s identity politics, with parties quick to accuse opponents of disrespect toward regional and cultural traditions. The BJP has made significant inroads in Northeast states in recent years, a region where Congress historically maintained strong influence.

As the controversy continues to simmer, it underscores the heightened sensitivity surrounding cultural symbols and the increasingly personal nature of political attacks in India’s polarized political landscape. The incident also highlights the strategic importance both parties place on Northeast India, a region comprising eight states with distinct cultural identities and evolving political alignments.