Gandhigiri? Why Rahul hugging Modi is one of the rare images to be etched in everyone’s mind

But the hug at the end of his speech probably brought Modi and Rahul little bit closer, no matter how much animosity both the leaders share against each other.

New Delhi, July 20: It left everyone shocked. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi was taken aback when Rahul Gandhi walked up to him and gave him a tight hug inside the Lok Sabha immediately after the Congress president finished his "high-voltage" speech during the no-confidence motion on Friday afternoon.

PM Modi, who had patiently heard Rahul's no-holds-barred attack against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre, had no other option but shook the Congress chief's hand and smiled at him.

Before ending his speech--much of which was interrupted by the ruling BJP members but Rahul for a change stood his ground and spoke whatever he had to say--the 48-year-old Congress leader told PM Modi that ,"you have contempt for me, but I share no hatred against you."

Rahul also reminded the team Modi that "you people call me Pappu and hurl other abuses against me."

Aap logon ke andar mere liye nafrat hai, aap mujhe Pappu aur bohot gaaliyan dekar bula sakte hain, lekin mere andar aapke liye nafrat nahi hai: Rahul Gandhi. He then walks up to PM Modi and gives him a hug #NoConfidenceMotion pic.twitter.com/w5DqyR7mVu

— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2018

All this happened within a few seconds, but was enough for all to raise their eyebrows. While many called it a noble gesture and compared it to Gandhigiri (a term associated with the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi like love and peace and made famous by Bollywood film Munna Bhai M.B.B.S), others called it "total drama".

A picture of ANI shows Rahul winking after hugging Modi.

Rahul Gandhi winks after hugging PM Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha #NoConfidenceMotion pic.twitter.com/uStFDVKvLj

— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2018

Twitter too reacted profusely on the Rahul-Modi hug episode:

"Rahul Gandhi showing Gandhigiri by hugging Narendra Modi . Modi was completely clueless that something like this can happen. One of the rare scenes in Indian Parliament no matter which party you support , this visual will be stuck in your mind. #NoConfidenceMotion," wrote a twitter user.

Rahul Gandhi showing Gandhigiri by hugging Narendra Modi .

Modi was completely clueless that something like this can happen.

One of the rare scenes in Indian Parliament no matter which party you support , this visual will be stuck in your mind.#NoConfidenceMotion

— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRai) July 20, 2018

Another excited Twitterati wrote, "OMG Rahul Gandhi hugs the PM."

OMG Rahul Gandhi hugs the PM

— Nidhi Razdan (@Nidhi) July 20, 2018

During his more than 30-minute-long speech, Rahul accused the Modi government on several fronts. Right from Rafael deal, corruption charges against Jay Shah, son of BJP president Amit Shah, to safety of women, Rahul hit the ruling regime where it hurts the most.

But the hug at the end of his speech probably brought Modi and Rahul little bit closer, no matter how much animosity both the leaders share against each other. Or was it a staged gesture by Rahul?