A political exchange between senior leaders of the Congress and the Union government has triggered a fresh debate over remarks related to women’s representation in politics, after Union Minister Kiren Rijiju claimed that Congress MP Shashi Tharoor had indirectly agreed with an allegation that the Congress party is “anti-women.”

The controversy began after Rijiju, in a televised interview, recalled a conversation he said he had with Tharoor in Parliament. According to Rijiju, both leaders agreed during the discussion that Tharoor himself was not considered anti-women, but he suggested that this sentiment did not extend to the broader Congress party. Rijiju also remarked that Tharoor’s popularity among women was acknowledged in their exchange.

Tharoor, however, strongly rejected the interpretation, saying he never made or implied any such statement. Responding publicly on social media, he insisted that Rijiju’s version of the conversation was incorrect and said he had multiple witnesses present during the interaction who could support his account. He also clarified that he did not agree with any claim portraying his party as anti-women.

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The Congress leader further stated that his party has consistently supported women’s rights and gender representation in politics. He pointed to the party’s role in initiating and backing the Women’s Reservation Bill, including its passage in the Rajya Sabha during its tenure. He added that the Congress continues to support immediate implementation of women’s reservation without linking it to delimitation-related conditions.

Rijiju’s remarks have also been viewed in the context of ongoing political debate over women’s reservation legislation. The ruling side has previously accused opposition parties, including the Congress, of delaying or opposing key provisions of the Women’s Quota Bill, while the opposition has maintained that it supports the legislation but disagrees with certain procedural conditions attached to its implementation.

The exchange highlights continuing tensions between the ruling party and opposition over gender representation in politics, with both sides asserting their commitment to women’s empowerment while disputing each other’s political narratives.

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