Congress MPs clarify Rahul Gandhi’s comments were about Prime Minister’s behavior abroad

Congress representatives responded to Rahul Gandhi’s recent statements that questioned the Prime Minister’s conduct during international tours. Pramod Tiwari told reporters that Gandhi’s criticism did not concern Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni but focused on how Narendra Modi presents himself to foreign leaders and the subtleties of his diplomatic body language. Tiwari also invoked the “Operation Sindoor” episode, suggesting that the lack of support from several nations at that time highlighted a pattern of diplomatic neglect. He pointed out that, for the first time, both the Prime Minister and Home Minister were missing from the Parliament when the national anthem was performed, a breach of protocol that he described as an insult to the nation’s symbols. Citing Article 75 of the Constitution, Tiwari warned that ministers are required to answer to Parliament and that their non‑attendance reflects a larger problem of accountability. Sukhdev Baghat added that Gandhi’s remarks were being misinterpreted and stressed that the focus was on Modi’s comportment, not on any foreign official. Udit Raj raised concerns about the Prime Minister’s tendency to hug foreign delegations without observing formal diplomatic etiquette, arguing that this erodes the gravitas of the office. All three leaders pledged to keep raising questions about any perceived disrespect toward the Constitution, parliamentary procedures, and the rights of students.