Politics is never straightforward, beating around the bush to come to the point. However, including jalebi is quite a deviation in talk when it comes to usual politics talk. It all began when Rahul Gandhi inadvertently made this so dearly cherished dessert the central theme of discussion and controversy during Haryana assembly elections.
Social Media Abuzz with Jalebi Hashtag Amid Election Results
When elections were witnessing Congress’s steep down, and the social media was flooded with hashtags related to jalebi, as people thronged to comment upon the shocking results of the 2024 Haryana assembly elections, it would seem bizarre that the spiral-shaped sweet, always famous for its syrupy taste, has become a symbol of both gesturing approval for Rahul Gandhi’s election campaign and also thumping a criticism on it.
How the Jalebi Saga Began
It was on the campaign trail that the jalebi debate came into shape when Haryana Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda presented Rahul Gandhi with Maturam’s Jalebi, a delight from a known local shop in Gohana. Gandhi, relishing the snack immensely, happily declared it “the best jalebi” he has ever tasted, at the age of 54, saying he intends to share a few pieces with sister Priyanka Gandhi.
But that was not enough for Rahul Gandhi. He even proposed mass production of jalebi, saying, “These jalebis should reach every corner of India and the world.” Then he went on to imply how this local sweet dish could send some economic shocks by further saying that “If this jalebi goes to the country and abroad, then perhaps their shop will turn into a factory and thousands of people will get employment.”.
BJP’s Quick Retort and Social Media Backlash
BJP did not take much time before poking fun at the comment made by Gandhi regarding jalebi. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan attacked the importance attached to a dessert in light of important electoral issues where Gandhi’s behavior was nothing short of “photo shoots” and a hollow exercise. He said, “The people see everything-they know who is working and who is just putting on a show.”.
In the meantime, satiric comments and memes began going through social media, especially X, formerly known as Twitter: the Congress Jalebi-based campaign. Satirists started poking fun at the idea of a jalebi factory, which some popular satirists pointed out as the absurdity of the situation-merrily making light of the situation by suggesting that if a factory were to have been constructed, it would be a lot like losses for the shop. Others cynically declared, “Maturam jalebi, Congress farebi” (Maturam’s jalebi, Congress deceivers), pointing out that the people of Haryana preferred more pragmatic developments—such as semiconductor factories—to the fantastical notion of a jalebi factory.
Naam jalebi bai 🤣#HaryanaAssemblyElection2024 pic.twitter.com/fIFFfGWaRT
— Being Political (@BeingPolitical1) October 8, 2024
Mitron, Kha lo jalebi…
Aaj Party hogi heavy 🚩#Haryana pic.twitter.com/R3AdkiyR6x— Ashok Singhal (@TheAshokSinghal) October 8, 2024
This is highest level of Trolling 😂😂
Assam BJP karyakarta personally went & delivered Jalebi at CONgress Office in Lakhimpur, Assam.
Aisa kaun karta hai, Bhai?😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/789kK1yBLG
— BhikuMhatre (@MumbaichaDon) October 8, 2024
