Hurts India's prestige: Rajnath Singh calls Rahul Gandhi 'PM hug' remark shameful
The Defence Minister defended PM Modi's record on India's global standing, saying he had elevated the country's stature on the international stage and paved the way for a developed India.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his recent remarks mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s practice of hugging foreign leaders when he meets them during state visits to other countries or at home, calling the comments 'shameful' and 'indecent', and that it damaged India’s international prestige.
Addressing reporters, Singh said Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the Prime Minister and India’s foreign policy were "petty and condemnable".
"I had never seen such indecent and unimaginable conduct from any Leader of the Opposition," news agency ANI quoted him as saying.
The Defence Minister added that Gandhi had "not only insulted the Prime Minister but also the international prestige of India". "I cannot even imagine that someone with the Gandhi surname can make such a shameful remark," Singh said.
"I can say that today, through this conduct, Rahul Gandhi has not only insulted Prime Minister Modi ji but has also insulted India's international reputation, and has torn apart the dignity of democracy and the position of Leader of the Opposition," the Defence Minister added.
Addressing the Rachnatmak Congress national convention in New Delhi on Thursday, Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at PM Modi’s style of diplomacy.
"I don't know where he (PM Modi) got this idea from. Strange ideas get into people's heads. He thinks this is foreign policy," Gandhi said before embracing Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on stage.
Responding to the gesture, Dikshit joked, "You weren't hugging me thinking I was Meloni?" Gandhi replied, "I haven't reached that stage yet," drawing laughter from the audience.
The exchange quickly triggered a political storm, with BJP leaders accusing the Congress leader of making an inappropriate and immature remark.
Continuing with his scathing critique of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh added, "Whatever resentment Rahul Gandhi ji may harbour in his heart toward the Prime Minister ji, such indecent remarks are utterly unacceptable".
He also defended PM Modi's record on India's global standing, saying the Prime Minister had elevated India's stature on the international stage and paved the way for a developed India.
Singh further questioned whether the Congress could claim the legacy of its prominent leaders after Gandhi's remarks.
"I can say that today, through this conduct, Rahul Gandhi has not only insulted Prime Minister Modi ji but has also insulted India's international reputation, and has torn apart the dignity of democracy and the position of Leader of the Opposition," Singh said.
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTRY REACTS
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs underscored the importance of maintaining a respectful tone toward foreign leaders and countries.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India shared strong and friendly relations with Italy and sought to further deepen bilateral ties.
He added that any point of view should be expressed with due respect.
"We have good relations with Italy and wish to strengthen them further. Any point should be expressed respectfully," Jaiswal said.
BJP'S SHARP REACTION
Earlier, Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi questioned Rahul Gandhi’s political maturity and said insulting the Prime Minister amounted to insulting the electorate that had repeatedly voted for him.
BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj also said the language used by Gandhi was contrary to the dignity expected from the Leader of the Opposition.
BJP spokesperson Sanju Verma described the remark as "deplorable" and "despicable".
CONGRESS DEFENDS RAHUL GANDHI
However, the Congress defended Gandhi, insisting he had not mentioned Giorgia Meloni by name. Party spokesperson Shama Mohamed said there was "nothing wrong" in hugging a colleague and argued that Gandhi’s remarks were aimed at PM Modi’s style of diplomacy rather than any foreign leader.
At the same convention, Gandhi also launched a broader attack on the BJP and the RSS, calling them a "bunch of jokers" and alleging that the RSS had become an instrument of large corporate interests.
With both parties refusing to back down, the row is likely to intensify further in the coming days and add to the already bitter political exchanges between the BJP and the Congress.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his recent remarks mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s practice of hugging foreign leaders when he meets them during state visits to other countries or at home, calling the comments 'shameful' and 'indecent', and that it damaged India’s international prestige.
Addressing reporters, Singh said Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the Prime Minister and India’s foreign policy were "petty and condemnable".
"I had never seen such indecent and unimaginable conduct from any Leader of the Opposition," news agency ANI quoted him as saying.
The Defence Minister added that Gandhi had "not only insulted the Prime Minister but also the international prestige of India". "I cannot even imagine that someone with the Gandhi surname can make such a shameful remark," Singh said.
"I can say that today, through this conduct, Rahul Gandhi has not only insulted Prime Minister Modi ji but has also insulted India's international reputation, and has torn apart the dignity of democracy and the position of Leader of the Opposition," the Defence Minister added.
Addressing the Rachnatmak Congress national convention in New Delhi on Thursday, Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at PM Modi’s style of diplomacy.
"I don't know where he (PM Modi) got this idea from. Strange ideas get into people's heads. He thinks this is foreign policy," Gandhi said before embracing Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on stage.
Responding to the gesture, Dikshit joked, "You weren't hugging me thinking I was Meloni?" Gandhi replied, "I haven't reached that stage yet," drawing laughter from the audience.
The exchange quickly triggered a political storm, with BJP leaders accusing the Congress leader of making an inappropriate and immature remark.
Continuing with his scathing critique of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh added, "Whatever resentment Rahul Gandhi ji may harbour in his heart toward the Prime Minister ji, such indecent remarks are utterly unacceptable".
He also defended PM Modi's record on India's global standing, saying the Prime Minister had elevated India's stature on the international stage and paved the way for a developed India.
Singh further questioned whether the Congress could claim the legacy of its prominent leaders after Gandhi's remarks.
"I can say that today, through this conduct, Rahul Gandhi has not only insulted Prime Minister Modi ji but has also insulted India's international reputation, and has torn apart the dignity of democracy and the position of Leader of the Opposition," Singh said.
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTRY REACTS
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs underscored the importance of maintaining a respectful tone toward foreign leaders and countries.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India shared strong and friendly relations with Italy and sought to further deepen bilateral ties.
He added that any point of view should be expressed with due respect.
"We have good relations with Italy and wish to strengthen them further. Any point should be expressed respectfully," Jaiswal said.
BJP'S SHARP REACTION
Earlier, Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi questioned Rahul Gandhi’s political maturity and said insulting the Prime Minister amounted to insulting the electorate that had repeatedly voted for him.
BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj also said the language used by Gandhi was contrary to the dignity expected from the Leader of the Opposition.
BJP spokesperson Sanju Verma described the remark as "deplorable" and "despicable".
CONGRESS DEFENDS RAHUL GANDHI
However, the Congress defended Gandhi, insisting he had not mentioned Giorgia Meloni by name. Party spokesperson Shama Mohamed said there was "nothing wrong" in hugging a colleague and argued that Gandhi’s remarks were aimed at PM Modi’s style of diplomacy rather than any foreign leader.
At the same convention, Gandhi also launched a broader attack on the BJP and the RSS, calling them a "bunch of jokers" and alleging that the RSS had become an instrument of large corporate interests.
With both parties refusing to back down, the row is likely to intensify further in the coming days and add to the already bitter political exchanges between the BJP and the Congress.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his recent remarks mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s practice of hugging foreign leaders when he meets them during state visits to other countries or at home, calling the comments 'shameful' and 'indecent', and that it damaged India’s international prestige.
Addressing reporters, Singh said Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the Prime Minister and India’s foreign policy were "petty and condemnable".
"I had never seen such indecent and unimaginable conduct from any Leader of the Opposition," news agency ANI quoted him as saying.
The Defence Minister added that Gandhi had "not only insulted the Prime Minister but also the international prestige of India". "I cannot even imagine that someone with the Gandhi surname can make such a shameful remark," Singh said.
"I can say that today, through this conduct, Rahul Gandhi has not only insulted Prime Minister Modi ji but has also insulted India's international reputation, and has torn apart the dignity of democracy and the position of Leader of the Opposition," the Defence Minister added.
Addressing the Rachnatmak Congress national convention in New Delhi on Thursday, Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at PM Modi’s style of diplomacy.
"I don't know where he (PM Modi) got this idea from. Strange ideas get into people's heads. He thinks this is foreign policy," Gandhi said before embracing Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on stage.
Responding to the gesture, Dikshit joked, "You weren't hugging me thinking I was Meloni?" Gandhi replied, "I haven't reached that stage yet," drawing laughter from the audience.
The exchange quickly triggered a political storm, with BJP leaders accusing the Congress leader of making an inappropriate and immature remark.
Continuing with his scathing critique of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh added, "Whatever resentment Rahul Gandhi ji may harbour in his heart toward the Prime Minister ji, such indecent remarks are utterly unacceptable".
He also defended PM Modi's record on India's global standing, saying the Prime Minister had elevated India's stature on the international stage and paved the way for a developed India.
Singh further questioned whether the Congress could claim the legacy of its prominent leaders after Gandhi's remarks.
"I can say that today, through this conduct, Rahul Gandhi has not only insulted Prime Minister Modi ji but has also insulted India's international reputation, and has torn apart the dignity of democracy and the position of Leader of the Opposition," Singh said.
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTRY REACTS
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs underscored the importance of maintaining a respectful tone toward foreign leaders and countries.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India shared strong and friendly relations with Italy and sought to further deepen bilateral ties.
He added that any point of view should be expressed with due respect.
"We have good relations with Italy and wish to strengthen them further. Any point should be expressed respectfully," Jaiswal said.
BJP'S SHARP REACTION
Earlier, Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi questioned Rahul Gandhi’s political maturity and said insulting the Prime Minister amounted to insulting the electorate that had repeatedly voted for him.
BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj also said the language used by Gandhi was contrary to the dignity expected from the Leader of the Opposition.
BJP spokesperson Sanju Verma described the remark as "deplorable" and "despicable".
CONGRESS DEFENDS RAHUL GANDHI
However, the Congress defended Gandhi, insisting he had not mentioned Giorgia Meloni by name. Party spokesperson Shama Mohamed said there was "nothing wrong" in hugging a colleague and argued that Gandhi’s remarks were aimed at PM Modi’s style of diplomacy rather than any foreign leader.
At the same convention, Gandhi also launched a broader attack on the BJP and the RSS, calling them a "bunch of jokers" and alleging that the RSS had become an instrument of large corporate interests.
With both parties refusing to back down, the row is likely to intensify further in the coming days and add to the already bitter political exchanges between the BJP and the Congress.
