NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday were seen engaging in a brief and candid conversation during the tribute ceremony held on the occasion of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule’s 200th birth anniversary at the Parliament premises.The interaction came at a public event attended by top constitutional leaders, including President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and other senior leaders, who gathered at Prerna Sthal to pay floral tribute to the social reformer.The brief exchange between PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi drew attention, especially given the history of sharp political confrontation between the two leaders.This comes after both leaders have frequently targeted each other in public speeches and political rallies. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has in the past accused Prime Minister Modi of being a ‘compromised’ leader and alleged that India’s foreign policy was being influenced externally.“Our foreign policy is PM Modi’s personal foreign policy… Everyone considers this a universal joke… Donald Trump knows exactly what PM Modi can and cannot do. If the Prime Minister is compromised, our foreign policy is compromised,” Rahul Gandhi had said earlier.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also responded strongly to opposition criticism in the past, often taking indirect jibes at Rahul Gandhi during public rallies. In one such instance, addressing a rally in Gogamukh in Assam ahead of polls, PM Modi referred to the Congress leader as a ‘self-proclaimed prince’.“Rajkumar” (self-proclaimed prince), PM Modi had said while targeting Rahul Gandhi in an earlier public address.Earlier in the day, both leaders had separately paid tribute to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, one of India’s most prominent social reformers known for his work on women’s education, caste equality and empowerment of marginalised communities.President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi were among those who offered floral tributes at Prerna Sthal in Parliament.In his message on X, PM Modi praised Phule’s contribution to social justice and education, calling him a pioneer who empowered the marginalised through knowledge and reform.Rahul Gandhi, in his post on X, also highlighted Phule’s lifelong struggle against discrimination and inequality, saying his ideals continue to inspire the path towards social justice.“On the birth anniversary of the great social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, I offer my humble salutations to him. He dedicated his entire life to protecting the rights and entitlements of the marginalised. His struggle against discrimination and inequality showed the nation the path to equality and justice,” Rahul Gandhi said.
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, born on April 11, 1827, in Satara, Maharashtra, is widely regarded as a pioneer of India’s social reform movement. He, along with his wife Savitribai Phule, played a key role in advancing women’s education and challenging caste-based discrimination through the Satyashodhak Samaj.
