NEW DELHI: It was a moment that launched a million memes. Having rained barbs on PM Modi, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi abruptly switched tracks. He said he would turn BJP’s hatred for him into love. He then walked up to Modi and gestured to him to stand. When the PM remained seated, Rahul stooped and engulfed him in an awkward hug.

Caught off guard, Modi seemed to gesture “What is this?” with his hand. Then, as Rahul turned back, Modi recovered his poise, called Rahul back, took his hand, patted his back and whispered into his ears, smiling all the while.

A grinning Rahul strolled back to his seat and winked as his colleagues cheered and social media erupted with ‘jhappi’ jokes. Later, home minister Rajnath Singh said he was reminded of the Chipko movement .

But Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said, “We should maintain the decorum of the House. I thought what drama was happening.”

