India
oi-Ashish Rana
Batman masks became an unexpected attraction at the INDIA bloc’s “Chalo Dilli” march towards the Supreme Court, where Opposition leaders demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Youth Congress workers distributed the masks among protesters, while Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi joined the fun, bringing the superhero into the Congress party’s political messaging.
Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge wore Batman masks at the INDIA bloc’s Chalo Dilli march demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, linking the superhero to a Congress campaign portraying Gandhi as a fighter against injustice.
Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge Wear Batman Masks
Gandhi posed with a Batman mask in a photograph shared by the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) on X. The post carried the caption: “Batman Mode: ON; Gyaneshh toh giyooo”.
मोदी-ज्ञानू के खिलाफ भारत उमड़ आया है ✊📍 बाराखंबा, दिल्ली https://t.co/f96NvJNwbI
— Congress (@INCIndia) October 12, 2026
In another moment, Gandhi was seen helping Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge try on the mask. The images added a light-hearted element to the Opposition’s march, which focused on demands linked to the Election Commission.
How Batman Became Part of Congress’s Social Media Campaign
The Batman theme is part of a wider Congress social media campaign portraying Gandhi as someone fighting injustice. The idea gained attention after Gandhi was asked during an Instagram “Ask Me Anything” session whether he was Batman.
He replied, “Let’s just say that no one has ever seen me and Batman in the same room together.”
लोगों के बीच नेता विपक्ष राहुल गांधी https://t.co/xWMHbH6q82
— Ranvijay Singh (@ranvijaylive) October 12, 2026
The Congress social media team later turned the joke into a 13-second Instagram reel. It combined footage of Gandhi during an Opposition march from Parliament to the Election Commission office with scenes of Batman standing above Gotham.
One clip showed Gandhi standing on yellow police barricades in a white polo shirt and khaki trousers as supporters cheered around him.
Batman Posters Previously Appeared in Delhi
The comparison had already appeared on Delhi’s streets in August. Posters describing Gandhi as “the real-life Batman” were put up near the Congress headquarters at Indira Bhawan and in parts of central Delhi.
The posters, put up by a party functionary, showed Gandhi alongside Batman with the captions “The Silent Guardian” and “A Watchful Protector”.
Some supporters have also drawn parallels between Gandhi’s personal loss and Batman’s fictional childhood tragedy. Gandhi’s father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, was assassinated in 1991, while Batman’s alter ego, Bruce Wayne, witnesses the murder of his parents.
One supporter at the march said India needed “a Batman named Rahul Gandhi” to fight what he called the “devil”. The superhero comparison has now moved from online jokes and posters to Opposition street demonstrations.
