Rahul Gandhi launches a fresh attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, triggering another political showdown between the Congress and BJP. Speaking at a Congress event, Rahul Gandhi takes a swipe at Modi's foreign policy, mocking what he describes as "hugging people" diplomacy. A subsequent exchange involving Sandeep Dikshit and a reference to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sparks further controversy. The BJP hits back, accusing Rahul Gandhi of using "uncultured, crude and vulgar" language and demanding an apology.

The demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood echoed through Parliament as Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi led a joint demonstration by the INDIA Bloc and the National Conference, intensifying pressure on the Centre during the Monsoon Session. Opposition MPs gathered outside Parliament, urging the government to fulfil its repeated commitment to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Leaders argued that statehood is essential for strengthening democratic governance, constitutional rights and political representation in the Union Territory. The Opposition also demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah make a statement in Parliament over the alleged police action against student protesters at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, linking the issue to wider concerns about democratic rights and public dissent. Rahul sharpened his attack on the government, saying students are suffering because of systemic failures and deserve justice rather than what he described as symbolic gestures. His remarks added to the political heat as multiple Opposition parties sought to corner the Centre on both the Jammu and Kashmir statehood issue and the ongoing education controversy. WATCH