Patna, May 15—Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi surprised audiences at a cinema hall in Patna on Thursday by watching Phule, the biopic about iconic 19th-century social reformers Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule.
The film visit was part of Gandhi’s day-long tour of Bihar, which began with a student interaction in Darbhanga. He flew into Patna by helicopter and proceeded directly to a multiplex in a central city mall, drawing attention and gathering crowds.
Congress Supporters and Social Activists Join the Screening
Several individuals, including Congress workers and self-proclaimed non-political social activists from different parts of Bihar, were at the theatre, where the Congress party distributed special passes.Asharfi Sada, a resident of Darbhanga, expressed his excitement, saying, “I am a social activist, not affiliated with the party, but have been attending all of Rahul Gandhi’s events in Bihar. This is my first opportunity to watch a film alongside him.”
District Congress Committee (Patna-Rural) working president Uday Chandravanshi praised Gandhi's gesture, stating, “By choosing to watch the film with people from deprived communities, Rahul Gandhi reaffirmed his commitment to championing the causes of Dalits, tribals, and OBCs both in Parliament and on the ground.”
Protest Erupts Over Entry Denials
Despite the enthusiasm inside the theatre, tensions flared outside as several pass-holders were denied entry, citing full occupancy.“I came from Nawada with a valid pass but was told it was houseful. How is that possible? The number of passes shouldn’t exceed the seating capacity. This smells like a sabotage attempt by Rahul Gandhi’s political adversaries,” alleged Nilesh Singh Chandravanshi.
Another agitated attendee added, “I am from the Mali community, making me a descendant of Jyotiba Phule and Ramabai. Yet, I was barred from entering the hall to watch the film with our leader. It’s deeply disappointing.”
Symbolic Gesture Amid Political Messaging
The screening of Phule was a politically loaded gesture from Gandhi. He aligned himself with the social justice values represented by the Phule couple, and the event underscored his outreach to marginalized communities in the ongoing political landscape.While the event resonated well with those inside the hall, the chaos outside highlighted the challenges of crowd management during high-profile public appearances.