Rahul Gandhi Urges Women To “Smash Patriarchy”, BJP Hits Back

Rahul Gandhi urged women to challenge patriarchy and fight for greater space and independence in society while addressing the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event in Pune. Calling women India's biggest strength, Rahul Gandhi told the largely female audience that every woman is unique and should have the freedom to pursue her own dreams, ambitions and vision for life.

Rahul Gandhi argued that women are often placed into three identities — daughter, wife or mother — and said these roles should not define their entire lives. Rahul Gandhi urged women to build identities of their own and declared that they belong to nobody except themselves. He also criticised what he described as a "Manusmriti mindset", citing passages from the ancient text while making his argument for women's independence.

Rahul Gandhi also spoke about violence and discrimination against women, identifying physical violence, denial of opportunities and economic restrictions as three forms of violence. Rahul Gandhi cited several statistics concerning crimes against women, harassment, physical violence, sexual violence and women's participation in employment, although the figures cited during the speech were not independently verified in the information provided. Rahul Gandhi also referred to remarks attributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and former Haryana Chief Minister M L Khattar while arguing that unequal social expectations continue to affect women.

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Rahul Gandhi's comments triggered a political response from the BJP. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticised Rahul Gandhi's remarks on Manusmriti and advised Rahul Gandhi to read the Puranas to understand India's traditions and values. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused Rahul Gandhi of hypocrisy over women's empowerment, arguing that Rahul Gandhi and the Congress had opposed the Women's Reservation Bill.

Congress leader P Chidambaram rejected Devendra Fadnavis' criticism and pointed out that the Constitution (106th Amendment) Bill, providing 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures, was passed by Parliament in 2023 with Congress support. BJP leader Smriti Irani also targeted Rahul Gandhi over the issue and urged Rahul Gandhi and the Congress to support the swift implementation of the women's reservation law.

The political exchange has placed Rahul Gandhi's Pune speech at the centre of a wider Congress-BJP dispute over women's empowerment, representation and social equality. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi backed Rahul Gandhi's message, arguing that women need platforms where their voices can be heard and where they can gain confidence to challenge patriarchal attitudes.

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