Pune: Student Kisses Rahul Gandhi On Stage During ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ Event; Moment Goes Viral |WATCH VIDEO

Pune: A young student kissed Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on the cheek during his interaction with students at the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ outreach event in Pune, with a video of the moment later going viral on social media.

The incident took place on the stage as Gandhi interacted with students and attendees and posed for selfies. During the interaction, the student approached Gandhi and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Gandhi appeared surprised but briefly interacted with her before continuing with the programme.

The moment was captured on video and shared widely on social media. The footage shows Gandhi posing for photographs with attendees before the student kisses him. He is then seen briefly acknowledging the student before walking away from the stage along with his security personnel.

The incident drew mixed reactions online, with several users describing the interaction as a spontaneous and affectionate moment. Some also commented on the apparent comfort and ease with which young women interacted with Gandhi during the event.

The ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme was organised as a youth-focused interaction, where Gandhi spoke about issues concerning students and women. He spoke about women’s empowerment, urged women to challenge patriarchy and criticised what he called a “Manusmriti mindset”.

The Pune event also triggered a political exchange between the BJP and Congress, with BJP leaders questioning the purpose and organisation of the programme.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis criticised Gandhi’s remarks on women’s empowerment and also compared the Pune event with the BJP’s youth programme in Nagpur. BJP Maharashtra vice-president Keshav Upadhye alleged that the Congress event relied on generic political rhetoric rather than addressing students’ concerns.

The Congress rejected the criticism. Party leader Sachin Sawant said the BJP was reacting to the strong response to Gandhi’s interaction with young people and alleged that the ruling alliance had created logistical difficulties for those attending the Pune event.

However, the brief interaction between Gandhi and the student remained one of the most talked-about moments from the Pune programme, with the video attracting considerable attention online.