NEW DELHI — Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju took a political swipe at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday, following Gandhi’s social media video emphasizing the empowerment and freedom of Indian women.
Responding to Gandhi’s Instagram message—where the Congress leader asserted that India cannot succeed if women are constrained by patriarchy—Rijiju welcomed the remarks on X, calling it a “visible change of heart” while urging the Congress party to support the Women’s Reservation Bill unconditionally.
Key Highlights
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Political Sparring: Rijiju challenged the Opposition to back the government’s Women’s Reservation framework, highlighting ongoing friction over linking the 33% quota to the national delimitation exercise.
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Gandhi’s Outreach: In his video, Rahul Gandhi argued that India’s potential remains “trapped” due to rigid patriarchal controls in homes, workplaces, and public spaces, calling for systemic freedom for women to express themselves and lead.
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Legislative Standoff: While both sides advocate for greater political representation for women, Opposition parties including the Congress have demanded immediate implementation of the quota within current parliamentary seat limits rather than tying it to post-census delimitation.
