Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on patriarchal attitudes towards women during his ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Pune on Saturday, saying the fight was against a mindset that sought to restrict women’s freedom and identity.
Speaking at the SSPMS Grounds, Gandhi also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks about women using abusive language during the Jantar Mantar student protests. He questioned why the Prime Minister had expressed a “cultural shock” over women using abusive words when male protesters had also used similar language.
“At Jantar Mantar, boys and girls both used abuses. But the Prime Minister said that he got a cultural shock that girls used abuses. There is no problem if boys abuse? Is it allowed for them?” Gandhi said.
‘A woman belongs to herself’
Gandhi’s address largely focused on women’s rights, discrimination and different forms of violence faced by women.
He referred to a passage from the Manusmriti concerning women’s dependence on their fathers, husbands and sons, and argued that a woman’s identity should not be limited to her relationships with men.
“There is nothing wrong in being a daughter, wife or a mother. But this cannot be your only identity,” Gandhi said.
He added that women should have the freedom to make their own choices, pursue education and employment, and build independent identities.
“A girl may have relationships as a father, brother, husband, or son, but she is not their property — she belongs to herself,” he said.
Gandhi targets BJP and RSS
Gandhi alleged that the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) hold a mindset that seeks to confine women and girls.
“But we do not want such a India. We want a system where everyone is treated with respect,” he said.
He described the suppression of women’s independence as part of the patriarchal mindset he was criticising and said his political fight was against such attitudes.
“The mindset of suppressing women comes from the Manusmriti, and today our fight is against this very mindset,” Gandhi said.
‘Smash the patriarchy’
During the interactive session, several women, largely college students, shared their experiences and concerns with Gandhi.
Gandhi discussed issues including violence, harassment, restrictions on education and employment, household responsibilities and economic disadvantages faced by women.
He cited figures claiming that women face widespread harassment and violence, while also highlighting the unequal distribution of household work. He said women spend substantially more time on household chores than men and often face restrictions related to travel, curfews and marriage.
“Together, we need to finish this patriarchy. Smash the patriarchy,” Gandhi said, using a phrase widely associated with contemporary feminist discourse.
Congress alleges attempts to disrupt event
The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) alleged that the BJP made attempts to disrupt the Pune programme.
In a statement, the state Congress unit claimed that young women were allegedly threatened to discourage them from attending and alleged that efforts were made to create obstacles and defame the event.
The MPCC said the programme nevertheless received a strong response and described it as a success.