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‘Mai yahan ka khiladi hun’: Kiren Rijiju hits back at comparison with Rahul Gandhi over fitness

From Hindustan Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Union minister Kiren Rijiju responded to comparisons with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding fitness, stating he is a "player here."
  • Rijiju posted videos of himself swimming in Arunachal Pradesh rivers, emphasizing his lifelong familiarity with adventurous activities.
  • The exchange is part of ongoing, good-humored fitness-related discussions between the two political rivals.

Union minister Kiren Rijiju has hit back at comparisons with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over their fitness levels, asserting his own prowess in adventurous activities. Responding to social media comparisons, Rijiju stated, "Mein yahan ka khiladi hun (I am the player here)," in a post on X.

Mein yahan ka khiladi hun (I am the player here).

— Kiren RijijuUnion minister Kiren Rijiju's response on social media when compared to Rahul Gandhi over fitness activities.

Rijiju shared videos of himself swimming in the gushing rivers of Arunachal Pradesh, highlighting that such activities are a normal part of his life and not something he requires training for, unlike what he suggested for Gandhi. "Rahul ji may take training for such activities but it's normal routine in my life. I don't take training as these are child's play for me since childhood. My life is full of adventurous (adventures)," he wrote.

Rahul ji may take training for such activities but it's normal routine in my life. I don't take training as these are child's play for me since childhood. My life is full of adventurous (adventures).

— Kiren RijijuRijiju explaining his comfort level with adventurous activities compared to Rahul Gandhi.

He further elaborated on the distinct nature of swimming in Arunachal's rivers compared to calmer waters, advising caution. "Never go to deep water if you do not know swimming. Many people have drowned in the river. The rivers in Arunachal Pradesh are huge and very deep," he warned, explaining the upright body posture needed.

Never go to deep water if you do not know swimming. Many people have drowned in the river. The rivers in Arunachal Pradesh are huge and very deep.

— Kiren RijijuRijiju warning about the dangers of swimming in the rivers of Arunachal Pradesh.

This exchange is the latest in a series of fitness-focused interactions between the BJP minister and the Congress leader. Last year, they were seen discussing fitness in Parliament, and Gandhi had previously issued a jiu-jitsu challenge. Rijiju expressed hope that Gandhi would promote the #FitIndiaMovement during one such conversation.

In raging rivers, our head should be up, not down & body should be more upright, not straight as we keep in swimming competition. Mein yahan ka khiladi hun.

— Kiren RijijuRijiju explaining the technique for swimming in strong river currents.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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