Kangana Ranaut Reacts To Rahul Gandhi’s “Smash Patriarchy” Call With “Bro, Wait” Post

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has responded to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s “smash the patriarchy” message with a social media post invoking “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”. Ranaut shared an image showing Gandhi asking a woman to “smash the patriarchy”, followed by the woman responding, “Bro, wait. Bharat Mata ki jai shuru karte hain.” The post comes amid a political exchange over women’s rights and recent criticism surrounding actor Kriti Sanon.

Gandhi had used the phrase “smash the patriarchy” while responding to online criticism faced by Sanon over her outfit in a Rakshabandhan advertisement for jewellery brand GIVA. Sanon had questioned why women continue to be told what they should wear after the advertisement drew criticism. Gandhi shared her response and argued that women should have the freedom to decide what they wear, do and where they go.

Ranaut, who represents Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, had earlier criticised Sanon’s outfit, describing it as “intentionally creepy”, while some other users called it vulgar. GIVA subsequently withdrew the advertisement, stating that causing offence to religious or cultural sentiments was never its intention. The controversy brought renewed attention to the debate over women’s choices, public criticism and the role of political leaders in such discussions.

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The political exchange also involved BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, who criticised Gandhi over what she described as his silence on previous remarks directed at women. Swaraj cited alleged instances involving Ranaut and actor-turned-politician Hema Malini, as well as comments by Congress leaders, while questioning Gandhi’s position on women’s empowerment. She also raised issues including the Women's Reservation Bill and representation of women in Congress-ruled states.

Ranaut’s social media post extended the political argument by referencing several issues, including the Women's Reservation Bill, triple talaq, the Shah Bano case and the absence of a woman minister in Karnataka. The image repeatedly contrasts Gandhi’s call to “smash the patriarchy” with questions about women’s representation and political positions. The post therefore framed the debate as a wider challenge to the Congress leader’s record and political messaging on women’s rights.

Gandhi’s “smash the patriarchy” remark originated from his comments at the “Chhatron Ki Goonj” event in Pune on August 22. The subsequent exchange between Gandhi, Sanon and BJP leaders has turned the phrase into a broader political debate, with both sides presenting different arguments about women’s freedom, representation and the treatment of women in public life.

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