A PM Modi mimicry video from Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event in Indore has gone viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism from several BJP leaders.

The performance focused on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mannerisms and recent public appearances. The mimicry artist imitated Modi’s characteristic laugh, his hand gestures and the way he greets and hugs people. The act also appeared to recreate moments from Modi’s recent interactions with world leaders at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

Another part of the performance referred to a recent video of Modi asking someone to offer a chair to an elderly woman. The comedian incorporated the incident into the act.

The performance took place in front of Rahul Gandhi during the Chhatron Ki Goonj programme in Indore. A clip showing Gandhi laughing during the performance has also been widely shared, becoming a major point of criticism from the BJP.

BJP leaders condemn the performance

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav criticised the incident in a post on X, calling the conduct at the Congress leader’s event shameful and condemnable. He said the performance insulted the dignity of mothers and accused Gandhi and Congress leaders of encouraging such conduct.

Yadav also referred to Modi’s public gesture of offering respect to an elderly woman and said an apology should be made to mothers across the country.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also objected to the performance, particularly the reference to Modi’s late mother. He said a mother should not be made a subject of political attacks and criticised Gandhi for laughing during the act.

“Political opposition is neither democracy, nor service, nor culture,” Dhami said.

BJP shares Modi ‘real vs comedy’ comparison

The BJP separately shared two contrasting visuals to attack the Congress leader over the episode.

One showed Modi asking that a chair be offered to an elderly woman, while the other showed the mimicry performance at Gandhi’s event. The party presented the two moments as a contrast between Modi’s treatment of an elderly woman and what it described as mockery at Gandhi’s programme.

The controversy also drew criticism from other BJP figures. Madhya Pradesh minister Rakesh Singh described the episode as shameful, while actor-turned-politician Arun Govil said Gandhi’s laughter during the performance was unfortunate and painful.