Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 11: A rare moment in Indian political circles was witnessed on Saturday morning when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi exchanged greetings and briefly interacted during a tribute event held in honour of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule in Delhi.

The leaders were present at Prerna Sthal on the Parliament premises where dignitaries gathered to pay homage on the occasion of Phule’s 200th birth anniversary. Rahul Gandhi was seen standing alongside Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union ministers JP Nadda and Arjun Ram Meghwal, among others, as PM Modi arrived with his convoy.

Upon arrival, Prime Minister Modi and Rahul Gandhi exchanged namastes and were seen engaging in a brief conversation, marking a rare public interaction between the two leaders. President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan also joined the ceremony to pay floral tributes to the social reformer.

Prime Minister Modi paid homage to Mahatma Phule, praising his lifelong dedication to equality and social justice. In a blog post, he described Phule as an inspiring example of moral courage, self-reflection, and commitment to societal welfare.

Rahul Gandhi also paid tribute, stating that Phule devoted his life to protecting the rights of marginalised communities. He said Phule’s struggle against discrimination and inequality continues to guide the nation’s path towards justice and equality, and added that his ideals remain relevant in ongoing efforts for social reform.