BJP slams Rahul Gandhi for 'insulting' actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Accusing Gandhi of stooping to a "new low" by demeaning Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the BJP claimed the 53-year-old Congress leader has a "dangerous and creepy obsession with successful and self-made women".

The controversy erupted after Gandhi during his Bharat Nyay Jodi Yatra said that the grand consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir, attended by a host of Bollywood celebrities and billionaires, was not attended by anyone from the OBC, Dalit or tribal communities, who comprise 73 percent of the country's population.

"Did you see Aishwarya Rai...this is not your India," the Congress MP was heard saying in one of the clips shared by Karnataka BJP on X.

The inauguration ceremony at Ayodhya was attended by Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek Bachchan, while Aishwarya was not present at the event.

"Frustrated by constant rejections by Indians, Rahul Gandhi has sunk to a new low of demeaning India's pride Aishwarya Rai," the BJP's Karnataka state unit said in a statement.

"A fourth-generation dynast, with zero achievements, now resorts to slurs against Aishwarya Rai, who has brought more glory to India than Rahul Gandhi's entire family."

The BJP shared clips of various instances of Gandhi mentioning the actor in his speeches.

It directed criticisms towards Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, asking him why he remained silent when Gandhi insulted a "fellow Kannadiga."

"As your boss continues to insult a fellow Kannadiga, will you uphold your professed Kannada pride and speak out against such disrespect, or will you remain silent to safeguard your CM chair?" the BJP asked Siddaramaiah.

Gandhi's remarks were also condemned by singer Sona Mohapatra who termed them "demeaning" and criticised the practice of politicians exploiting women for political gain.

"What's with politicians demeaning women in their speeches to get some brownie points in a sexist landscape? Dear Rahul Gandhi, sure someone has demeaned your own mother (Sonia Gandhi), sister (Priyanka Gandhi) similarly in the past, and irrespective you ought to know better? Also, Aishwarya Rai dances beautifully," the singer posted on X.

The opening ceremony of the Ram Temple was presided over by PM Modi and attended by many celebrities.