Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi share a rare candid exchange while paying tribute to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule.
April 11, 2026: In a rare and notable moment, Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi were seen engaging in a candid conversation at Parliament on Saturday. The interaction took place at the Prerna Sthal within the Parliament premises, where leaders across party lines had gathered to pay tribute to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule on his 200th birth anniversary. The brief exchange between the two leaders stood out amid the otherwise formal event.
Several prominent leaders, including Droupadi Murmu, Om Birla, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Harivansh Narayan Singh, were present to pay floral tributes. As the Prime Minister arrived, he greeted those gathered and spent a few moments in conversation with the Leader of Opposition, drawing attention for the rare show of informal interaction between political rivals.
Both leaders also remembered Phule’s legacy through separate messages, highlighting his contributions to social justice, education, and the upliftment of marginalised communities. While Modi emphasised Phule’s role in promoting women’s rights and education, Gandhi recalled his lifelong struggle against inequality. The occasion marked the beginning of the reformer’s 200th birth anniversary celebrations, bringing together leaders in a shared moment of tribute beyond political divides.