Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday faced protests from BJP’s youth wing workers during his Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar’s Arrah. Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha (BJYM), dressed in black shirts, waved black flags and confronted Gandhi over alleged derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother at a recent Mahagathbandhan event in Darbhanga.

A video from the incident shows BJP workers waving black flags as Gandhi’s vehicle passed through the area. In an unexpected move, Rahul Gandhi stopped his jeep, called one of the protestors closer, and instructed his security to allow him through. After a brief conversation, Gandhi handed the young man a few candies before leaving.

The protests came after some Congress workers reportedly used an expletive against Prime Minister Modi and his late mother during the yatra. Following this, the BJP filed an FIR in Patna demanding an apology from Rahul Gandhi. Congress worker Mohammad Rizvi was arrested on Friday for making objectionable comments against the Prime Minister and has been sent to 14-day judicial custody.

This was not the first time Rahul Gandhi responded calmly to protests during his yatra. Earlier this month in Nawada, when faced with ‘Murdabad’ slogans from BJP supporters, he smiled, blew flying kisses toward the crowd, and continued his journey, reportedly easing tensions and even drawing smiles from some protestors.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) announced that its leaders, including MP Yusuf Pathan and UP unit leader Lalitesh Pati Tripathi, will join Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in the concluding leg of the Voter Adhikar Yatra on September 1 in Patna.