The Congress has criticised RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for sharing a meal with singer Adnan Sami at a centenary event in Mumbai, triggering a sharp political exchange.

Mumbai: A fresh political controversy erupted on Monday after the Indian National Congress criticised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh over its chief Mohan Bhagwat sharing a meal with singer-composer Adnan Sami at a centenary event held in Mumbai.

The Maharashtra Congress alleged that the interaction was politically and morally questionable, pointing to Sami’s family background to accuse the RSS of double standards on nationalism. In a social media post, the party referred to Sami’s father’s past association with the Pakistan Air Force, claiming the meeting contradicted the organisation’s public stance.

The singer had attended the two-day RSS centenary celebrations along with several other public figures. Following the event, Sami shared photographs of his interaction with Bhagwat on social media, describing the meeting as cordial and praising the RSS chief for addressing what he called long-standing misconceptions about the organisation.

The Congress’s remarks drew attention to the optics of political symbolism, even as no official response was issued by the RSS on the criticism. The episode quickly became a talking point across social media and political circles.

Analysis: The row highlights how symbolic gestures and personal interactions are increasingly politicised in today’s charged climate. As parties sharpen narratives ahead of key elections, even cultural or social engagements risk being reframed through ideological lenses. This assessment reflects analytical opinion; all factual details above are drawn from the original content.