‘Insulting to the Northeast’: Assam CM Slams Rahul Gandhi for Not Wearing Gamosa at Republic Day Reception

A political controversy has erupted after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly not wearing the traditional Assamese gamosa during the Republic Day ‘At Home’ reception hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Reacting to visuals from the January 26 event, Sarma termed Gandhi’s conduct “deeply insensitive and insulting to the people of the Northeast.” He said the gamosa, also known as the patka, symbolises honour, respect and cultural identity in Assam and the wider Northeastern region, and that most dignitaries at the reception were seen wearing it.
In a post on social media, the Chief Minister claimed that Rahul Gandhi chose not to wear the gamosa despite being offered one, and instead kept it in his hand or placed it on his chair. “Such behaviour reflects a disregard for the culture and sentiments of the Northeast,” Sarma said, demanding an unconditional apology from the Congress leader.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also joined the criticism, with party leaders accusing Gandhi of disrespecting not only the cultural traditions of the region but also the spirit of the Republic Day function hosted by the President.
The Congress, however, rejected the allegations and described the issue as politically motivated. Party leaders pointed out that several dignitaries, including senior BJP leaders, were also seen without wearing the gamosa during the same event. They cited Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as an example, questioning why similar objections were not raised in his case. The Congress accused the Assam Chief Minister of selectively targeting Rahul Gandhi to create a controversy.
The row has triggered a wider debate on cultural sensitivity and the use of regional symbols in national political discourse. As of now, Rahul Gandhi has not issued an official statement responding to the criticism over the gamosa incident.
The incident adds to the ongoing political sparring between the BJP and the Congress, particularly over issues related to the Northeast and cultural representation at national platforms.