BJP criticizes Rahul Gandhi over patriarchy remarks

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi following his recent remarks in Pune regarding the need to ‘end patriarchy.’ BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj accused Gandhi of attempting to create a “false narrative” and suggested his statements are designed merely for “memes and reels” to gain social media traction.

Swaraj challenged the Congress leader's stance on women's empowerment, citing the absence of female ministers in Congress-led governments in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, as well as the party's historical opposition to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. She further alleged political hypocrisy, pointing to Gandhi's recent comments regarding Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, describing them as inappropriate for a leader of his position.

Gandhi had previously criticized the Manusmriti and urged female students to seek independence from patriarchal structures, asserting that women should be masters of their own lives rather than being under the authority of male relatives.