Times Now Navbharat has launched a nationwide debate campaign following a political controversy over a stand-up comedy performance at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ student interaction event in Indore.

During the event, comedian Pulkit Mani mimicked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and made references to his late mother, drawing sharp criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.

The incident, in which Rahul Gandhi was seen sharing the stage and laughing during the performance, triggered a political backlash, with BJP leaders accusing the opposition of crossing ethical boundaries and questioning the use of family members and personal relationships in political satire. The controversy has since led to a wider debate over the limits of political criticism and personal remarks.

According to a press release, Times Now Navbharat has responded to the controversy with a dedicated campaign and debate series examining the boundaries of propriety and personal ethics in political discourse. The network has opened public phone lines and brought cross-party perspectives to its prime-time broadcasts, framing the debate around whether political opposition should follow a “Lakshman Rekha” that excludes family members, personal relationships and mothers from political satire.

The campaign has also focused on the distinction between criticism of political policies and personal attacks. Congress representatives defended the performance, describing it as harmless political mimicry, while BJP leaders demanded a public apology from Rahul Gandhi and maintained that maternal respect should remain a fundamental cultural boundary in Indian society.

Times Now Navbharat said its multi-platform campaign, led by the hashtag #MataKaSamman, will continue across its digital and broadcast networks. The initiative aims to invite public opinion on political etiquette and the boundaries that should be observed while engaging in political criticism and satire.