U.P. Minister’s spelling challenge goes viral, Congress hits back with degree poser

Uttar Pradesh Energy Minister A. K. Sharma has challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to write ‘University’ in Hindi and offered to stop calling him Pappu if he did so. The Congress criticised the Minister and challenged Mr. Sharma to produce details on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s academic degree. He made the challenge on Tuesday (August 11, 2026), and it appears to have gone viral today.

Mr. Sharma was speaking on the sidelines of the India Bioenergy and Tech Expo and the 3rd International Conference and Exhibition on Bioenergy and Technologies in Gautam Buddha Nagar. “If Rahul Gandhi writes ‘University’ in Hindi, I will stop calling him Pappu,” Mr. Sharma said. He also challenged Mr. Gandhi to visit a farm and differentiate between a maize field and a sugarcane field.

“A. K. Sharma’s statement is ridiculous, he was an IAS official and is now serving as a Minister. Our leader Rahul Gandhi is raising fundamental issues concerning society and youth; Rahul Ji understands the pain of the common people, which is why BJP leaders target him. I condemn the statement, Before questioning the Leader of Opposition, Mr. Sharma should produce details of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s academic degree,” said Ajay Rai, Uttar Pradesh Congress President.