Row erupts as Rahul Gandhi refuses to wear North-Eastern Patka at ‘At Home’ reception

Patka row at Rashtrapati Bhavan

The ‘At Home Reception’ at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday was themed around India’s North-East, with guests presented with traditional North-Eastern patkas. Attendees included the Prime Minister, European Union leaders, foreign diplomats and other dignitaries.

According to top sources, Rahul Gandhi was the only guest who did not wear the North-Eastern patka. Sources told CNN-News18 that President Droupadi Murmu requested Gandhi twice to wear it, but he did not comply. Photographs from the event accessed by CNN-News18 show Gandhi holding the patka in his hand rather than wearing it.

Sources said Gandhi accepted the patka but chose not to put it on. In contrast, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was seen wearing the patka while standing next to Gandhi, as evident in the images. The Congress party has so far not issued any response on the matter.

The incident drew sharp political reactions, with BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticising Gandhi in a post on X. He wrote:

“Rahul Gandhi rejects North East Gamosa despite President of India requesting him to wear it. Rahul Gandhi hates North East and its culture and people. He insulted president from Adivasi Samaj…”

RAHUL GANDHI REJECTS NORTH EAST GAMOSA despite President of India requesting him to wear it

Rahul Gandhi hates NORTH EAST AND ITS CULTURE AND PEOPLE HE INSULTED PRESIDENT FROM ADIVASI SAMAJ HIS FAMILY HAS ALWAYS BETRAYED NORTH EAST THEY BOMBED NORTH EAST KEPT IT AWAY FROM… pic.twitter.com/PVDgfVxMYJ — Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) January 26, 2026

The episode comes amid an ongoing political exchange between the Congress and the BJP over protocol at official events. Last month, the Congress objected to Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge not being invited to the ‘At Home Reception’ at Rashtrapati Bhavan held in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin, alleging that due political courtesies were not being extended to the Congress chief and the Leader of the Opposition.

At the time, the BJP responded by saying that Gandhi and Kharge had skipped Republic Day and Independence Day events in recent years. On Monday, both leaders were invited and attended the ‘At Home Reception’ and were also present at the Republic Day event earlier in the day.

However, the Congress again raised objections, claiming that Gandhi and Kharge were not seated in the front row at the Republic Day event. The BJP countered the charge, saying senior government ministers were also seated in the rear rows on Independence Day and that no disrespect was intended.