PUNE — A political controversy has erupted following Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s interactive address in Pune, where he urged women to “smash the patriarchy” and challenged historical texts like the Manusmriti. The event sparked sharp pushback from senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who accused him of double standards and misinterpreting traditional values.
Speaking at the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ student outreach program, Gandhi focused on female autonomy, individual ambition, and structural gender bias.
Focus on Autonomy and Critique of Ancient Mindsets
Gandhi told the audience of female students and aspirants that women should reject societal expectations that define them strictly by their relationships to men—such as being a daughter, wife, or mother.
“Patriarchy crushes you, frightens you, controls you,” Gandhi stated. “Together, we have to finish this patriarchy — smash the patriarchy! Be loud, be proud, and fight for your space in society.”
To support his argument against gender-based restrictions, Gandhi cited passages from the Manusmriti, asserting that ancient rules confining women to male guardianship at every stage of life reflect a mindset that needs to be dismantled. He framed Indian women as the nation’s key asset, pointing out systemic issues including economic inequality, safety concerns, and the high rate of unreported sexual violence.
BJP Counterattack: Adityanath, Fadnavis, and Irani Respond
Gandhi’s remarks drew strong criticism from BJP leaders across multiple states:
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Yogi Adityanath: The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister responded to Gandhi’s critique of ancient texts by suggesting he consult scriptures like the Atharvaveda and Matsya Purana to better understand Indian heritage, warning against abandoning core traditions.
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Devendra Fadnavis: The Maharashtra Chief Minister pointed to what he termed “double standards,” alleging that while Gandhi speaks publicly about women’s rights, the Congress party has opposed key legislative initiatives, such as the Women’s Reservation Bill, when brought to Parliament.
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Smriti Irani: The BJP leader challenged Gandhi to actively back the prompt implementation of 33% reservation for women in legislative bodies.
Congress and Allies Defend the Event
Defending Gandhi, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram countered Chief Minister Fadnavis’s claims regarding the Women’s Reservation Bill, noting that Congress voted in favor of the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act when it was presented in Parliament.
Allies, including Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, welcomed the address, emphasizing the importance of political figures encouraging women to directly challenge patriarchal norms.
