Rahul Gandhi’s birthday request for Minister Kiren Rijiju—a jiu-jitsu session

New Delhi: As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi turned 56 Friday, wishes poured in from across party lines. His newest ally, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, wished him. M.K. Stalin, even in apparent betrayal, extended his greetings. Prime Minister Modi, with whom the Leader of Opposition is perpetually at odds, wished him too.

Amidst all the routine celebration online, an uncharacteristically pleasant exchange was seen between Rahul Gandhi and BJP minister Kiren Rijiju.

Rijiju was quick to respond. The Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs thanked the LoP in return for promoting PM Modi’s flagship initiative Fit India, further saying, “I’m ready for a Jiu-Jitsu session but I won’t let you control me for a force submission. Because the essence of Jiu-Jitsu is using joint locks and chokeholds rather than striking!!”

The rare light-hearted exchange, a departure from the heat seen between them in Parliament, triggered a sea of varied responses.

Thank you for the warm wishes, Kiren Rijiju Ji.

When are we doing our jiu-jitsu session? https://t.co/1tRQcHE8lE

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 19, 2026

Some users were appreciative of the cordiality, seeing the exchange as a breath of fresh air in today’s time of highly explosive political rivalries.

Others did not take the friendly behaviour as well, considering their mingling a breach of trust. “Dude, that guy’s a Fraud!! why are y’all being friendly? you’ve got no Ideology? Or are you also just into making people fool,” a user wrote.

For most users on X, though, the two politicians’ posts set off a joke fest. “Hope Rahul, you are not jumping the ship and joining BJP!!!! I am not liking this camaraderie,” someone wrote in the reply section, while others said they were ready to see the match during the upcoming Monsoon session.