Rahul's meeting with Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn in London triggers row

Corbyn, who served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition from 2015 to 2020, has often expressed his views against India

A row erupted between Congress and BJP over Rahul Gandhi meeting the controversial former Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn. Several saffron party leaders hit out at the Congress scion, citing a picture where Corbyn is seen with his arm on Rahul’s shoulders.

Soon after BJP launched an attack on Gandhi and asked what the Congress leader was doing with the Labour MP, “infamous for anti-India anti-Hindu Stand”, Congress in a quick retort, posted a video clip of Prime Minister Narendra Modi shaking hands with Corbyn and asked whether the PM was endorsing his views on India.

“Again... Rahul Gandhi meets UK MP and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn who is known for his hatred and dislike for India, advocates Kashmir’s secession. Or how long and how much one can go on against one’s own country [sic],” Law Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted after the Indian Overseas Congress shared the picture on social media.

Rahul met Corbyn in London on Monday during a tour.

Corbyn had often expressed controversial views on issues related to India, particularly on Jammu & Kashmir.

BJP IT Department chief Amit Malviya said, “Jeremy is known for his visceral dislike for India, advocates Kashmir’s secession and is unequivocally anti-Hindu. Gandhi has finally found his overseas collaborator, who denigrates India with the same impunity as him.”

Hitting back, Youth Congress chief Srinivas B V posted a video clip in which Modi is seen shaking hands with Corbyn during an event and asked “Dear Sanghi. What was Narendra Modi doing with Jeremy Corbyn in London?”

BJP leader Kapil Mishra, however, countered it, saying Modi had met Jeremy Corbyn in 2015 when the latter was the Leader of Opposition. “That was protocol. Jeremy’s connection with the IRA came to fore in 2017. Jeremy demanded separation of Kashmir from India in 2019. Why did Rahul Gandhi go to meet him after that... [sic].”

Congress communication chief Randeep Surjewala said political leaders have met in the past and will meet in the future (with) other leaders having divergent and opposite views.