12 hours Ago By TOI News Desk
NEW DELHI: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar found himself in an awkward moment during a solemn tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Martyrs' Day when he suddenly began clapping after paying his respects. The incident, which took place at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, was caught on camera and has since gone viral on social media. Nitish Kumar, along with several political leaders, had gathered to pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary.
As he finished bowing before the statue of the Father of the Nation, Kumar unexpectedly started clapping, seemingly unaware of the sombre nature of the occasion. The Assembly Speaker, Nand Kishore Yadav, standing beside him, was seen subtly signalling him to stop. Realising his mistake, Kumar immediately stopped clapping.
This is not the first time Nitish Kumar has made headlines for an awkward moment. While campaigning for the NDA alliance during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he mistakenly predicted that the NDA would win more than 4,000 seats in the Lower House of the Parliament—a number far exceeding the total strength of the lower house. His slip of the tongue was widely circulated by RJD leaders, who mocked the veteran politician for his blunder.
On January 30, India marked the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, paying tribute to the "soul of India." Political leaders, including PM Modi, President Murmu, Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Kharge, and Delhi CM Kejriwal, gathered to honour the freedom fighter. PM Modi praised Gandhi’s ideals, which inspire the vision of a developed India, while Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted Gandhi’s global promotion of truth, non-violence, and justice.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh, housing minister Khattar, and several military leaders also paid their respects. Rahul Gandhi, acknowledging Gandhi as the spirit of India, said he lives on in every Indian today. An exhibition at the National Gandhi Museum was also inaugurated to commemorate Gandhi’s legacy.
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