At a time when grief hangs heavy in the air, tears flow freely, and hearts break, one would expect solemnity, empathy, and composure. But Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly stood out for all the wrong reasons by flashing awkward, inappropriate smiles during the most somber occasions. What may seem like a momentary lapse in behavior has now become a shocking pattern, bordering on what can only be described as callousness or a potential medical concern. While families mourn their loved ones, Rahul Gandhi appears to find reasons to grin.
Most recently, Rahul Gandhi was captured smiling on live camera at the funeral of Jharkhand’s ex-CM Shibhu Soren in his native village of Nemra, Is this merely immaturity, or does it stem from something more serious? Either way, this recurring behavior is disturbing, deeply insensitive, and, frankly, inhumane.
Let us trace this troubling pattern year by year:
Timeline of Inappropriate Smiles by Rahul Gandhi at Funerals & Condolence Events
- 2016 – Jayalalithaa’s Funeral
During the state funeral of AIADMK leader and Former Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa at Marina Beach, Rahul Gandhi was seen smiling and laughing. The images went viral on social media, where users questioned his basic etiquette. Even Former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Thirunavukarasar were also spotted grinning. - 2017 – Dharam Singh and Qamar ul Islam
While visiting the grieving families of former Karnataka CM Dharam Singh and former Minister Qamar ul Islam, Rahul Gandhi was seen smiling at Dharam Singh’s wife, Prabhavathi Singh, who was visibly emotional and had folded her hands in mourning. - 2018 – Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Last Rites
At the funeral of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Rahul Gandhi was once again caught smiling on camera. At a moment that called for national unity and solemnity, his demeanor raised eyebrows. - 2018 – Karunanidhi Hospital Visit
During a hospital visit to DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi in Chennai, Rahul was seen smiling widely while meeting the ailing leader’s family. Again, questions were raised about his sense of occasion. - 2023 – Sharad Yadav’s Funeral
Rahul Gandhi’s grin made headlines again at the funeral of senior politician Sharad Yadav. The incident further fueled criticism that he treats tragic moments with a disturbing lack of seriousness. - 2024 – Dr. Manmohan Singh Condolence Visit
As India mourned the death of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi was once again seen smiling awkwardly during his condolence visit, baffling even senior Congress leaders. - 2025 – Shibhu Soren’s Funeral
Most recently, at the funeral of Jharkhand’s ex-CM Shibhu Soren in his native village of Nemra, Rahul Gandhi was captured smiling on live camera. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Soren’s son, was also seen smiling beside him. However, given the context of bidding farewell to a political giant, the moment was seen as a gross display of insensitivity.
The Pattern and Public Outrage
Each of these incidents, taken alone, might be dismissed as a one-off mistake. But together, they form a damning pattern that cannot be ignored. These aren’t private moments; they are public events with national media coverage and grieving families. The repetition shows either an alarming detachment from reality or an inability to control emotional responses. Netizens have gone as far as to call him ‘Pappu’ and mock his inability to behave with maturity in public.
If this is not a disease then, it points to something worse: an emotional void that has no place in leadership.
Time for Self-Reflection or Diagnosis?
The legacy of a leader is not just built on policies and speeches, but also on how they show up during the most human of moments grief, loss, and pain. Rahul Gandhi’s consistent pattern of smiling at funerals sends a dangerous message: that he is disconnected from the emotions of the people he seeks to represent. Whether it stems from medical issues or behavioral immaturity, the time has come for Rahul Gandhi to seek professional advice and put a stop to what can only be described as a grotesque habit. Because laughing while others cry is not just inappropriate it’s inhumane.