Karnal: Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi met nearly 200 families, including several from Haryana, during Bhai Dooj celebrations at Indira Bhawan in Delhi.
The families were invited for a tea time meeting and each family sat at individual tables. Rahul Gandhi spoke to individual families, asking how they were, how their children were getting on with their education, how they were getting on with their jobs and taking photographs.
Several families from Karnal and Sonipat attended the meeting. Some families even brought traditional food for Rahul Gandhi to try. Including Tejinder Mann’s mother Birmati brought home-made churma and farmer Sanjay from Gohana brought the famous jalebis.
Rahul Gandhi tried the churma made by Birmati and also touched her feet for blessings. He posted pictures from the meeting online, saying “Some relationships only grow deeper with time.”
Rahul Gandhi Invites Tejinder Mann’s Family
Unfortunately Tejinder Mann who is currently in the United States couldn’t attend the meeting but his family traveled to Delhi after receiving an invite to have a cup of tea with Rahul Gandhi.
“Rahul Gandhi called me the day after Diwali and told me about the Bhai Dooj meeting at Indira Bhawan. He invited all of the families he has met or visited during his time interacting with families in Haryana. This included my family,” Tejinder said.
“I was invited by Rahul Gandhi along with my mum, Amit Mann and our families. My mum made the churma to bring to Delhi.”
Rahul Gandhi also asked how Amit Mann was. As Amit had been injured in a road accident in the United States. He told him that if he needed anything he could let Tejinder know and his team would provide their full support.
After trying the churma Rahul Gandhi asked for Birmati’s blessings.
Rahul Gandhi Visits Ghoghadipur Village In Karnal
The link between Tejinder Mann’s family and Rahul Gandhi dates back to the 2024 Haryana Assembly election.
Around 2 years ago Rahul Gandhi paid an unannounced visit to Ghoghadipur village in Karnal and met Amit Mann’s family. At the time Amit was working as a truck driver in the United States and had been injured in a road accident.
Amit had spoken to Rahul Gandhi during his visit to the US. He had told him that many of the young people from his village were leaving to find work overseas and also talked about his family.
Rahul Gandhi had promised to visit Amit’s family once he got back to India. A month later he visited Ghoghadipur and met Amit’s mother Birmati and also video called Amit whilst he was still in the United States.
The family gave Rahul Gandhi some desi ghee and home made churma. Which is a traditional dish made with crushed rotis, ghee and sugar or jaggery.
Tejinder Mann also helped with Amit’s medical treatment. Around a month after Rahul Gandhi’s visit Amit returned to India.
Rahul Gandhi Meets Families From Sonipat
Two families from Sonipat also attended the Bhai Dooj meeting. Bhagat Singh, from Murthal village, said two families from the area had travelled to Indira Bhawan.
“Nearly 200 families were invited, everyone had individual tables. Rahul Gandhi spoke to each family individually.”
Bhagat Singh said he first met Rahul Gandhi during an election tour in 2024. During the most recent meeting Rahul Gandhi asked how the family were, what they do and how their children were getting on with their education.
When asked how his children were doing Bhagat Singh told Rahul Gandhi that his son was studying for a law degree and his daughter was working towards a PhD. Rahul also asked how they were.
Gohana Farmer Sanjay Brings Famous Jalebis
Another guest at the meeting was farmer Sanjay from Madina village in Gohana, Sonipat. He brought famous Gohana jalebis for Rahul Gandhi to try. The pair have met several times over the last few years.
They first met on July 8th 2023 when Rahul Gandhi unexpectedly visited Madina village. He drove Sanjay Malik’s tractor around the fields for around 15 minutes and helped the farmers plant paddy seedlings.
He also sat down with the farmers and agricultural workers to eat with them.
Sanjay has met Rahul Gandhi again since then. On February 25th he travelled to Delhi to deliver a personal invite to his daughter Tanu’s wedding. On March 10th 2026 Rahul visited Madina village to attend the wedding and give his blessings.
“I didn’t think Rahul Gandhi would recognise US as he is a politician but he has kept interacting with me and my family so we have kept in touch,” Sanjay said.
The Bhai Dooj meeting brought together families who had met Rahul Gandhi during his visits to Haryana and other interactions throughout the years. The pictures posted by the Congress leader show how he met with the families. Including trying the home made churma and receiving jalebis from Gohana.