A high-profile state dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu for visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 6, 2025, intended as a display of diplomatic strength, instead descended into a fierce domestic political battle. The controversy erupted over the guest list, specifically the non-invitation of key opposition leaders.
The Opposition's Accusation: Undermining Bipartisanship
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi launched a sharp critique, condemning the decision to exclude Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge from the event. She argued that the move deliberately undermined the bipartisan nature of the presidency and established a dangerous precedent where the highest office of the nation could be used for partisan politics. Chaturvedi characterized the exclusion as an act of "petty" politics, suggesting it diminished the dignity of the occasion meant for a global leader.
The BJP's Counterattack: Protocol and Personal Attacks
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responded with immediate aggression. Party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia targeted Rahul Gandhi directly, accusing him of immaturity and self-interest. Bhatia's remarks framed Gandhi as a figure more concerned with personal slights than national interest. Meanwhile, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar attempted to deflect the criticism by invoking protocol. He dismissed the uproar as unnecessary drama, stating that invitations to such events follow established norms. Chandrasekhar pointed out that Shashi Tharoor, a senior Congress MP, was already attending the dinner, thereby representing the opposition's presence.
Broader Implications: Diplomacy Overshadowed by Domestic Sparring
This war of words highlights a significant trend: global diplomacy becoming entangled in India's intense electoral politics. President Putin's visit, which commands significant international attention for its strategic discussions on trade, defense, and energy, now risks having its messaging overshadowed by an internal squabble over protocol and invitations. The incident underscores how even events of national importance are not immune to the deep political divisions within the country.
The core facts remain: the dinner occurred on December 6, 2025; the excluded figures are Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge; the primary critics are Priyanka Chaturvedi from the opposition and Gaurav Bhatia and Rajeev Chandrasekhar from the ruling BJP. The central conflict pits claims of breach of presidential tradition against assertions of adherence to protocol and accusations of political immaturity. As the debate rages, it diverts focus from the substantive outcomes of Putin's visit, proving that in today's political climate, the guest list can be as contentious as the geopolitical talks themselves.
