A political row erupted on Monday (January 26, 2026) over Rahul Gandhi allegedly refusing to put on an Assamese Gamosa given to all of the company at a reception hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, with the BJP alleging that the Congress chief insulted the nation’s northeast.
The BJP additionally accused the Chief of the Opposition within the Lok Sabha of displaying disregard for Ms. Murmu by not sporting the Gamosa, whereas the Congress countered by declaring that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had additionally not worn the “patka [scarf]”.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma demanded an “unconditional apology” from Mr. Gandhi, alleging that it was deeply insensitive and insulting to the individuals of the whole northeast, with the Congress chief selecting to not put on the standard patka, which is an emblem of the area’s wealthy cultural heritage.
The event passed off after a bit of the media claimed that every one company besides Mr. Gandhi wore the Gamosa introduced to them on the occasion.
Citing sure media reviews, BJP nationwide spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla mentioned in a submit on X, “Shameful! Rahul Gandhi has insulted the northeast and likewise disrespected our very hon’ble President.”
Hitting out at Mr. Gandhi, Mr. Sarma mentioned occasions may change, however the perspective of the “de facto supremo” of the Congress “regrettably” appeared unchanged.
“From the President and the Prime Minister to international dignitaries, everybody wore the Patka with respect and delight. Mr. Gandhi alone stood aside, reinforcing a notion of disregard in direction of the northeast,” the Assam Chief Minister wrote on X.
Such a conduct defined why his social gathering has “misplaced the belief of the area and far of the nation. But, this repeated insensitivity continues”, he charged.
“Mr. Gandhi should concern an unconditional apology to the individuals of the northeast for this affront. The individuals of the area deserve respect,” he added.
The Congress hit again on the BJP with the social gathering media and publicity division head Pawan Khera posting on X an image of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, asking the Assam Chief Minister if he would demand an apology from Mr. Singh additionally for not sporting the patka.
“Hey @himantabiswa, will you search an apology from @rajnathsingh ji too? Or your complete technique to battle anti-incumbency is to choose up such non-issues?” Mr. Khera requested, tagging each Mr. Singh and Mr. Sarma in his submit on the micro-blogging platform.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore additionally slammed the BJP over the difficulty and requested the Assam Chief Minister why Mr. Singh didn’t put on the northeast patka.
“The 2016 batch of betrayers should cease this nonsense. Why is @rajnathsingh ji not sporting the North East patka then? Cease dragging the Hon’ble President @rashtrapatibhvn into your low cost politics,” Mr. Tagore mentioned in a submit on X.
This comes on a day the Congress accused the NDA Authorities of insulting the Leaders of Opposition within the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, Mr. Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, respectively, by seating them within the third row throughout the Republic Day parade occasion at Kartavya Path.
Sharing photos of their leaders seated within the again rows throughout the ceremony, a number of Congress leaders raised questions over the “protocol mess-up” and propriety.
Hitting again, Mr. Poonawalla accused the Congress of placing “entitlement and ego” in addition to “parivar and place” of the Gandhi household above the individuals.
“They really feel ‘parivar tantra (household system)’ is above ‘sanvidhan tantra (constitutional system)’. Seating is set by a set format — Warrant or Desk of Priority. One can see even senior Cupboard Ministers round and even behind Rahul Gandhi however none of them made it a difficulty,” the BJP spokesperson mentioned in a submit on X.
Rahul thinks he’s the proprietor of India? By the way in which, why does he bunk essential programmes? The place was he throughout the V-P Oath? CJI Oath? I-Day programme?” Mr. Poonawalla requested.
Reacting sharply, one other BJP nationwide spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandari, accused the Congress of politicising the seating preparations on the Republic Day and known as Mr. Gandhi an “insincere politician”.
“Shameful of the Congress to politicise even seating preparations at Republic Day’. Rahul Gandhi is an insincere politician, who chooses politics over nationwide curiosity,” Mr. Bhandari charged.
Printed – January 27, 2026 12:50 am IST
