‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ row: K’taka minister Khader says Congress does not engage in anti-national activities

Bengaluru: Karnataka minister U T Khader has defended the Congress amid a political row over a mimicry performance at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event in Indore.

Khader said the Congress does not engage in anti-national or anti-people activities and described the incident on the stage as unintentional and part of the programme.

The remarks came after the BJP criticised the mimicry of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the event and sought an apology from Rahul Gandhi. The performance by comedian Pulkit Mani, who appeared alongside Gandhi, was shared on social media and triggered reactions from BJP leaders.

Congress leaders have defended the performance as mimicry, rejecting the BJP’s criticism of the event.

Khader also questioned why concerns over propriety or sensitivity were not raised when Rahul Gandhi and his family had faced criticism on earlier occasions.

The controversy follows the September 19 ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Indore, where Rahul Gandhi addressed students and spoke about education, youth participation and what he described as the influence of a wider political “system” on students.