‘Crass’, ‘Sexist’ Or Just Political Banter? Sandeep Dikshit’s ‘Meloni’ Remark At Rahul Gandhi Event Sparks Backlash

News india ‘Crass’, ‘Sexist’ Or Just Political Banter? Sandeep Dikshit’s ‘Meloni’ Remark At Rahul Gandhi Event Sparks BacklashLast Updated:August 13, 2026, 22:42 ISTRahul Gandhi was mocking what he portrayed as PM Modi’s fondness for hugging international leaders in the name of foreign policyRapid ReadSummarized by AI.+Got Question about the News?Rahul Gandhi first stretched out his arms and walked towards Dikshit for a hug, telling the gathering that he would demonstrate what foreign policy meant for Narendra Modi. After the embrace, Dikshit joined the joke, asking Gandhi whether he had hugged him thinking he was Meloni. Image/PTICongress leader Sandeep Dikshit is facing a wave of criticism on social media after his quip about Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during Rahul Gandhi’s attack on Narendra Modi’s foreign policy was widely described as “crass", “sexist" and unnecessary.The remark came at the Rachnatmak Congress Organising National Convention in New Delhi on Thursday, where Gandhi was mocking what he portrayed as PM Modi’s fondness for hugging foreign leaders.Recommended StoriesRahul Gandhi’s ‘Hug’ Remark Sparks BJP-Congress Row; Meloni Reference Triggers Controversy‘When Will You Grow Up?’ BJP Hits Back At Rahul Gandhi Over 'Hug' Row'Uncultured, Undignified, Obscene': BJP Hits Back At Rahul Gandhi Over Remarks On PM ModiRahul Gandhi’s Pune Student Outreach In Jeopardy? Police Impose 14-Day Ban On Public AssembliesHow the remark unfoldedGandhi first stretched out his arms and walked towards Dikshit for a hug, telling the gathering that he would demonstrate what foreign policy meant for Narendra Modi.After the embrace, Dikshit joined the joke, asking Gandhi whether he had hugged him thinking he was Meloni.Gandhi replied: “I haven’t reached that stage yet."#WATCH | Delhi: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, “I don’t know where it came from; this idea got into their heads. I don’t know who put it there or where it came from, the idea that foreign policy means hugging politicians. I was young. We went to America. Since… pic.twitter.com/5G3j1osvvT— ANI (@ANI) August 13, 2026The exchange drew laughter from the audience but quickly acquired a different tone online, where users questioned why Meloni had been singled out for the punchline.The backlash focused less on Gandhi’s political criticism of Modi and more on Dikshit’s decision to bring a female foreign head of government into a joke centred on physical intimacy.Why Meloni became the flashpointThe reference was to the much-discussed public rapport between PM Modi and Meloni, which has generated the “Melodi" tag on social media.Supporters of the Congress argument said the joke was clearly aimed at Narendra Modi’s public style of diplomacy and was not intended as a comment about Meloni herself.Critics, however, argued that using Meloni as shorthand for a woman whom a male politician might want to hug reduced a sitting foreign leader to the object of a personal or romantic gag.Some social media users called the line misogynistic and sexist, while others described it simply as tasteless political humour.Political joke, bigger debateThe controversy also highlights the increasingly blurred line between political satire and personal commentary in India’s highly charged social-media environment.Dikshit, the son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, is a former East Delhi MP who served two terms in the Lok Sabha. His remark lasted only a few seconds, but the clip quickly travelled beyond the original context of Gandhi’s speech.For Congress supporters, the exchange was harmless banter aimed at PM Modi’s much-publicised diplomatic imagery. For critics, it was an avoidable lapse in judgment that weakened the political point Gandhi was trying to make.News18 NewsletterHandpicked stories, in your inboxA newsletter with the best of our journalismQuick AnswersPowered byAsk News18The remark by Sandeep Dikshit has been described as "crass" and "sexist" and has sparked backlash on social media.Powered byAsk News18About the AuthorPathikrit Sen GuptaPathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra...Read MoreLocation : First Published:August 13, 2026, 22:24 ISTDisclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Loading comments...Read More