Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has hit back at Congress MP Pawan Khera's 'half-naked' swimming jibe. Rijiju questioned Khera's own attire while swimming and brought up their differing political careers.
- Union Minister Kiren Rijiju responded to Congress MP Pawan Khera's 'half-naked' swimming jibe.
- Rijiju questioned Khera's attire and political experience, stating Khera's comment was indecent.
- The exchange began after Rijiju posted a video of himself swimming and challenged Rahul Gandhi.
A war of words has erupted between Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Congress MP Pawan Khera following recent fitness-related banter. The controversy ignited after Rijiju shared a video of himself swimming in an Arunachal Pradesh river, extending a challenge to Rahul Gandhi to do the same. Khera, in response, took a swipe at Rijiju and the BJP, questioning how much Rahul Gandhi had "gotten under their skin."
Rijiju's Sharp Retort to 'Half-Naked' Barb
Rijiju strongly objected to Khera's reference to his attire, retorting, "Do you swim in a suit and coat?" The Parliamentary Affairs Minister also contrasted their political careers, pointing out that Khera is a first-term Rajya Sabha MP while he has contested eight elections. "That doesn't give you the right to make an indecent comment," Rijiju stated, adding that his swimming was to inspire villagers and connect with people.
Warning of Reporting to Assam CM
Furthermore, Rijiju warned Khera that he would report his "indiscipline" to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma if he continued to make abusive comments on social media. This remark seemingly alluded to the intense confrontation between Khera and Sarma earlier this year, which involved allegations and counter-allegations.
Fitness Banter Takes a Political Turn
The latest exchange began when Rijiju posted a video of himself swimming in a fast-flowing river in Arunachal Pradesh. When social media users drew comparisons with Rahul Gandhi, who has often spoken about his fitness routine including swimming and martial arts, Rijiju clarified that such activities were a lifelong routine for him, not something requiring training like Gandhi might undertake.
Historical Background
This is not the first instance of fitness-related exchanges between Rijiju and Gandhi. In December 2025, Rijiju shared a video of a conversation with Gandhi in Parliament, noting they were discussing fitness. Gandhi had reportedly inquired about Rijiju's exercise regimen and invited him for training. Gandhi later referenced this conversation during the Budget session in February, using jiu-jitsu techniques as a political analogy. The playful banter continued in June when Rijiju wished Gandhi on his birthday, to which Gandhi responded, "Thank you for the warm wishes, Kiren Rijiju Ji. When are we doing our jiu-jitsu session?"
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this verbal spat highlights how political rivalries can extend to personal fitness discussions. While such exchanges might begin as light-hearted banter, they often escalate and become part of the broader political narrative, potentially diverting public attention from more critical issues.
Experts suggest that while these exchanges between public figures can sometimes be entertaining, they underscore how personal comments can quickly acquire political undertones and influence national discourse.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was Pawan Khera's jibe at Kiren Rijiju?
Pawan Khera's jibe was in response to a video of Kiren Rijiju swimming, where Khera referred to him in a way that implied 'half-naked' swimming. - How did Kiren Rijiju respond to Pawan Khera?
Kiren Rijiju responded by questioning Khera's own swimming attire and his political experience, deeming the comment indecent and warning of reporting him to the Assam CM.
