BJP leaders criticize Rahul Gandhi's Pune youth outreach event

Political leaders in India are engaged in a sharp exchange of criticism following Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ youth outreach event in Pune. During the program, Gandhi addressed female students on issues of safety, sexual harassment, and the need to challenge patriarchal norms, stating that violence acts as a barrier to women’s progress.

Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have responded with various allegations. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused Gandhi of hypocrisy, noting that while he speaks on women’s empowerment, his party has opposed the Women’s Reservation Bill. BJP Maharashtra vice-president Keshav Upadhye characterized the event as a ‘political comedy show,’ alleging that the Congress used college buses to bring students to the gathering for political purposes.

In Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused Gandhi of being a ‘Hindu baiter’ who uses women’s rights as a ‘smokescreen’ to target Hindu Dharma. Sarma questioned Gandhi’s selective outrage, contrasting his criticism of Hindu scriptures with his perceived lack of similar fervor regarding Sharia law.

Congress representatives have rejected these claims, asserting that the BJP is rattled by Gandhi’s growing appeal among young voters and that the event saw significant organic participation from women.