Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has denounced what he terms a “Manusmriti mindset”, encouraging female students to actively confront patriarchy. During an event named ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’, he addressed girl students and reacted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments about experiencing cultural shock upon hearing girls use abusive language during a protest at Jantar Mantar.

Gandhi highlighted that both boys and girls had employed such language during the protests regarding exam paper leaks, yet PM Modi notably directed his criticism towards the female protesters. He remarked that there seems to be acceptance of boys using derogatory terms, while similar behaviour from girls is viewed as shocking. This, according to Gandhi, underscores a double standard in societal attitudes.

During his address, Gandhi played a video clip in which Modi lamented the use of “disgusting expletives” aimed at him during the protest, remarking on how it is disappointing for a leader to hear such language from “daughters.” The Prime Minister expressed his desire to forgive those involved but highlighted his surprise over the situation.

Gender Inequality in Societal Mindset

Gandhi’s comments extended to the broader societal mindset that, he argues, grants higher freedom to boys while imposing restrictions on girls. He articulated that there is a pervasive belief that girls should conform to prescribed roles and not be allowed the same liberties as males. He stated, “We do not want such Hindustan,” emphasising the necessity for equal respect for both genders.

Further, he critiqued the principles dictated by the ancient text Manusmriti, quoting a passage that suggests a woman’s obedience to a father in childhood and assignment to a husband in youth. Gandhi asserted that women should not be viewed as possessions or dependents but rather as individuals with autonomy over their own lives.

Emphasising female empowerment, he encouraged women to cultivate a sense of identity that transcends relationships with fathers, husbands, or sons. He reinforced that a woman’s identity is not solely defined by her familial roles, but rather by her individual strengths and aspirations.

Call to Action Against Patriarchy

Gandhi expressed that women constitute a valuable asset to India, attributing qualities such as sensitivity, compassion, and forward-thinking to them. He described women and girls as integral to the nation’s strength and future, urging them to resist the constraints of patriarchy, which he characterised as suppressive and controlling.

His call to action was straightforward as he urged women to be vocal and proud, stating, “smash the patriarchy!” He highlighted the pressing need to challenge societal norms that perpetuate inequality and violence against women.

In his remarks, he referenced statements made by influential figures regarding violence against women, indicating that such rhetoric reflects an underlying mindset that needs to be addressed. He shared alarming statistics regarding the widespread occurrences of female foeticide, harassment, and other forms of violence against women, noting that a significant majority of these incidents remain unreported due to social stigma.

Gandhi concluded by inviting Bhojpuri singer Neha Singh Rathore to the stage. Rathore shared her experiences of facing backlash for questioning government actions, underscoring the importance of freedom of speech in a democracy. She posed the rhetorical question about the state of democracy if citizens cannot hold leaders accountable.

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