Watch: PM, Rahul greet each other, engage in rare candid chat in Parliament

In a rare moment showcasing the lighter side of India's political landscape, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday greeted each other with namaste and had what appeared to be an informal discussion at the Parliament complex.

The duo had arrived at Prerna Sthal to pay tributes to 19th-century social reformer Jyotiba Phule on his 199th birth anniversary. The interaction was caught in a video shared by news agency PTI on X. It showed Rahul Gandhi standing alongside Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda, Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, among others, as PM Modi reached the spot.

As the prime minister got out of his official car, he was welcomed by everyone present there, including Rahul Gandhi. After courteously walking till the end of the file to exchange greetings, he turned back his attention toward the Congress leader and walked up to him to eventually engage in a prolonged conversation. Others joined in on the interaction as well.

The sight was a warm departure from the usual interpersonal dynamics publicly witnessed between PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi, which is primarily characterised by the cut-throat jibes they exchange in the political arena. The video was shared heavily on social media.

JYOTIBA PHULE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

Jyotiba Phule was born on April 11, 1827, in Maharashtra and died on November 28, 1890. Paying homage to him on X, PM Modi wrote, "On the birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, I pay homage to this visionary social reformer who dedicated his life to the values of equality, justice, and education."

He added, "It was he who initiated the struggle for the rights of women and the marginalized. Through his efforts, education became a powerful tool for empowerment. This year, we step into the bicentennial year of his birth. May his thoughts forever guide us all on the path of social progress."

Rahul Gandhi, too, said that Phule "dedicated his entire life to protecting the rights and entitlements of the marginalised." In a post on X, the Lok Sabha MP further said, "His struggle against discrimination and inequality showed the nation the path to equality and justice."

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(With inputs from PTI)