New Delhi, August 26: Bansuri Swaraj, a Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), launched a sharp attack on opposition leader Rahul Gandhi during a Lok Sabha session, questioning his stance on women’s empowerment. She commented on Gandhi’s statement advocating for the end of patriarchy.
Swaraj stated to the media, “On August 22, Rahul Gandhi attempted to create a false narrative in this country. I completely agree with the call to ‘end patriarchy.’ However, I want to ask Rahul Gandhi if this slogan is limited to the stage in Pune. You continue to protect political patriarchy within your Congress party. Rahul Gandhi has neither vision nor a positive agenda. His research team simply hands him notes, which he uses to confuse the voters and youth of this country.”
She added, “On August 22, he made this statement from the Pune stage, yet just ten days prior, he participated in a distasteful joke involving Sandeep Dikshit, mocking a female Prime Minister from our friendly nation, Italy.”
Swaraj accused Gandhi of trying to create sensationalism, saying, “It seems that the opposition leader is making statements just for memes and reels on social media. I want to highlight the hypocrisy of Rahul Gandhi and Congress with several examples, as the list is extensive.”
She continued, “When current MP Kangana Ranaut was given a ticket from the Mandi constituency, Supriya Shrinate questioned the ‘rate’ (price). Rahul Gandhi did not object. Another Congress leader, Randeep Surjewala, used indecent language against Hema Malini during a rally in Kaithal. The Election Commission imposed a 48-hour ban on him, yet Rahul Gandhi remained silent. I personally filed an official complaint against that indecency.”
Bansuri Swaraj also mentioned Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who referred to India’s first tribal woman President as ‘Rashtrapati.’ Yet, she noted, the Congress leadership remained completely silent. In 2020, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath referred to a BJP woman candidate as an ‘item.’ Where was Rahul Gandhi then? Why wasn’t he breaking patriarchy then? Why was he not preaching then?”
She pointed out, “The most shocking statement was made by K.R. Ramesh in the Karnataka Assembly, where he justified rape. Despite this, Congress legislators and the Speaker were laughing at this indecency. Why did Rahul Gandhi remain silent then?”
Swaraj questioned, “Congress governs in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. So, Rahul Gandhi, if you want to ‘end patriarchy,’ why is there not a single woman minister in the Karnataka or Himachal Pradesh cabinet? For them, women’s empowerment is merely a political slogan. If they genuinely wanted to empower women, they would not oppose the Nari Shakti Vandan Act.”
She reminded, “You will recall that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government provided for 33% reservation for women in state assemblies and the Lok Sabha under the Nari Shakti Vandan Act. What did the Congress party do? They ensured that this bill was defeated in the house by pressing the red button. Rahul Gandhi wants to limit the role of women to mere voters at polling booths. He does not want the daughters of India to become the architects of India’s destiny.”
Bansuri Swaraj challenged Rahul Gandhi, saying, “If you truly want to end patriarchy, sing the entire ‘Vande Mataram.’ The Parliament passed a law granting ‘Vande Mataram’ equal status to ‘Jana Gana Mana.’ However, the Congress Working Committee passed a proposal bowing to jihadi thinking and cruelty, reducing the essence of that song, which views the motherland as a goddess. You are willing to engage in illegal acts just for the sake of appeasement politics.”
Leave a Comment