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 visitors 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 carrying the Gamosa, whereas the Congress countered by mentioning that Protection 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 folks of all the northeast, with the Congress chief selecting to not put on the standard patkawhich is an emblem of the area’s wealthy cultural heritage.
The event happened after a piece of the media claimed that every one visitors besides Mr. Gandhi wore the Gamosa Introduced to them on the occasion.
Citing sure media reviews, BJP nationwide spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla stated in a publish on
Hitting out at Mr. Gandhi, Mr. Sarma stated occasions may change, however the angle 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 celebration has “misplaced the belief of the area and far of the nation. But, this repeated insensitivity continues”, he charged.
“Mr. Gandhi should challenge an unconditional apology to the folks of the northeast for this affront. The folks of the area deserve respect,” he added.
The Congress hit again on the BJP with the celebration media and publicity division head Pawan Khera posting on Singh additionally for not carrying the patka.
“Hey @himantabiswa, will you search an apology from @rajnathsingh ji too? Or your complete technique to struggle anti-incumbency is to choose up such non-issues?” Mr. Khera requested, tagging each Mr. Singh and Mr. Sarma in his publish 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 carrying the North East patka then? Cease dragging the Hon’ble President @rashtrapatibhvn into your low cost politics,” Mr. Tagore stated in a publish on
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 footage 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 “household and place” of the Gandhi household above the folks.
“They really feel”parivar tantra (household system)’ is above ‘sanvidhan tantra (constitutional system)’. Sitting is determined 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 stated in a publish on X.
Rahul thinks he’s the proprietor of India? By the way in which, why does he bunk essential packages? The place was he throughout the VP Oath? CJI Oath? I-Day programme?” Mr. Poonawalla requested.
Reacting sharply, one other BJP nationwide spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandari, accused the Congress of politicizing the seating preparations on the Republic Day and referred to as Mr. Gandhi an “insincere politician”.
“Shameful of the Congress to politicise even seating preparations at Republic Day’. Rahul Gandhi is an sincere politician, who chooses politics over nationwide curiosity,” Mr. Bhandari charged.
Revealed – January 27, 2026 12:50 am IST