top of page

By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 8:56:24 pm

Rahul Gandhi to girls: ‘Smash Patriarchy’

Says, girls are being relegated to remain caged, but boys get full freedom to do whatever they want Pune : In an all-out attack on the ancient ‘Manusmriti’ social code, Congress Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi issued a clarion call to “Smash Patriarcy” which seeks to control, confine and silence women, while denying them freedom, dignity, safety and economic independence. Speaking in bouts at the fourth edition of ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ in Pune, Rahul Gandhi bluntly told thousands...

Rahul Gandhi to girls: ‘Smash Patriarchy’

Says, girls are being relegated to remain caged, but boys get full freedom to do whatever they want Pune : In an all-out attack on the ancient ‘Manusmriti’ social code, Congress Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi issued a clarion call to “Smash Patriarcy” which seeks to control, confine and silence women, while denying them freedom, dignity, safety and economic independence. Speaking in bouts at the fourth edition of ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ in Pune, Rahul Gandhi bluntly told thousands of young women to be “loud, proud, and fight for their space rather than live in fear of men or social diktats” – amidst intermittent roars of approval or thundering applause, and cheers of ‘Rahul, Rahul’ booming inside and outside the venue. Touching some sensitive issues, the Congress leader - sporting a stunning yellow shirt symbolising ‘hope’ - said women had historically been portrayed in a poor light and continued to face discrimination at virtually every stage of life, due to ‘Manusmriti’. “India’s 70-cr women are its biggest asset, they are more forward-looking than men. Women are the strength of India, yet they are given a raw deal at all levels. Over 450,000 girls are killed in female feticide annually in India,” Rahul Gandhi thundered. He explained how ‘control’ over women begins early and in different ways forcing them to abandon education, face discrimination at home, work places, in society till they reach “a marriageable age”, and even later on in life. “Girls are being relegated to remain caged, but boys get full freedom to do whatever they want. We don’t want such a nation. Break this cage,” he exhorted the gathering, and showed video clips of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders to emphasise his points. Rahul Gandhi then asked the audience whether men tried to control them in different aspects of their lives. The response was an emphatic and stormy “Yes…! Yes…!” Continuing, he said control of women takes several forms - violence, disrespect, restrictions on time and movement, and pressure to conform - and often disguised as empty concerns: “Kuchh ho gaya to…?”, as the 15,000 crowd roared its approval. Reeling off figures on women’s mobility, education, property ownership and safety, Rahul Gandhi said the consequences of all went far beyond physical violence, leading to a “violence of opportunity” and even imposing an additional financial burden on women for their own safety annually. He pointed to the deep-rooted expectations – which many women who joined him on the state also expressed - that sons would “look after parents while daughters would eventually get married and leave”, a typical mindset that perpetuates discrimination against girls even today. Reiterating that women are the foundation and future of India, and the ‘cage’ around them must be broken, Rahul Gandhi made a direct emotional, personal and political appeal: “We want justice and respect for all, including the boys. Help to bring the women out of their fears…”

BJP Boost

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

As the dust settles over the recent Assembly elections, the BJP, defying anti-incumbency prediction of political Cassandras and exit polls, is set for a historic third term in Haryana. This will buoy the party after its underwhelming performance in the Lok Sabha polls. The Haryana outcome not only reinforces the BJP’s foothold in national politics but also presents a counter-narrative to the INDIA bloc’s post-election fervour.

Despite the bogey stoked by lingering farmer protests and discontent surrounding the controversial Agniveer scheme, the BJP strategically diversified its approach, relying not solely on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s star power—evidenced by his reduced number of rallies—but also on a ground-level consolidation of anti-Jat votes. The Congress’s over-reliance on the Jat community backfired, rallying other groups against it. Interestingly, the Dalit vote, which the Congress anticipated would tilt in its favour, has not completely abandoned the BJP.


At the forefront of the BJP's campaign was Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, whose relatively short tenure allowed him to distance himself from the decade-long rule of the previous administration. By introducing measures to benefit the backward classes, including a significant income limit increase for OBC employment from Rs. 6 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh, the BJP effectively shifted the narrative in its favour. Their mantra of ‘bina parchi, bina kharchi Naukri (promising jobs without bribes) resonated with voters.


The BJP’s rejuvenated team, led by key figures such as Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and state leaders, has seemingly addressed concerns that arose following its poor showing in the Lok Sabha elections. The incorporation of new candidates in place of established leaders provided a fresh face that contrasted sharply with the Congress’s decision to recycle incumbents.


In contrast, in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference, in alliance with the Congress, having crossed the majority threshold, reclaimed its historic dominance and is set to form the government. Here, the BJP’s performance in the first Assembly election held after the abrogation of Article 370, fell short despite its strenuous attempt to position itself as a proponent of development.


The electorate’s apparent rejection of hardline factions like the PDP reflects a nuanced response and win for democracy. Notably, the results have shown a significant rejection of separatist candidates, including those from Engineer Rashid-led Awami Ittehad Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, who failed to make a meaningful impact in the polls.


The BJP’s emphatic victory in Haryana redeems its Lok Sabha misstep but also signals a broader political resurgence, giving the party renewed vigour to march into future contests like the crucial Maharashtra Assembly election.

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page