Rahul Gandhi urges girls to break free from patriarchal norms
Rahul Gandhi cited Manusmriti, highlighting societal constraints on girls, urging them to break free.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, interacted with young women and girl students in Pune on Saturday during the fourth edition of his 'Students' Echo' programme. Addressing the gathering, he stated that the youth are India's greatest strength.
On Saturday, Rahul Gandhi cited a passage from the Manusmriti, stating that society has long kept girls in shackles. He called upon the young women present at the Pune edition of his student outreach programme, which was exclusively for young women and girl students, to "break this cage."
Addressing this special student outreach programme for girls, Rahul Gandhi said that he was there to listen to the youth rather than deliver a speech or discuss politics. Rahul Gandhi said,
"I am here not to give a speech or discuss politics, but to listen to the youth. Women should not be confined to identities defined by their relationships with men."
He said,
"Women should not be limited to the identities of daughter, wife, or mother."
Following this, Rahul Gandhi mentioned the Manusmriti and cited a passage from it, stating that it speaks of women being under the authority of their fathers, husbands, and sons, which he described as "shameful." Rahul Gandhi said,
The Manusmriti says that in childhood, a woman belongs to her father. In youth, she belongs to her husband. When her husband dies, she belongs to her sons. A woman should never be independent. This is a direct quote from the Manusmriti. These words are shameful because such words should never have been said.
The Manusmriti, also known as the Laws of Manu, is an ancient Sanskrit text that outlines ideas related to legal and social duties in Hindu society. The BJP and RSS operate according to the rules of the Manusmriti.
Rahul Gandhi identified three forms of violence faced by women - direct physical violence, economic violence, and violence from being deprived of opportunities. He said, "There are three types of violence. The first is direct violence." As examples, he cited statistics related to female foeticide, harassment, and physical and sexual violence.
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha also stated that approximately 4.5 lakh girls are killed before birth every year in India. He further mentioned that a large number of women face harassment in public places, educational institutions, and other areas. He cited statistics indicating that 29-30 percent of women face physical violence, while about 6 out of every 100 women face sexual violence.
He said,
50 percent of women leave their education or jobs due to safety concerns and the threat of violence. They drop out of school or quit their jobs.
Gandhi also described the economic loss due to women's safety concerns as a form of violence. He claimed that an average Indian woman spends an additional ₹17,500 annually on safety measures. In conclusion, Rahul Gandhi urged women to "break the cage" and encouraged the youth to embrace their unique identity and personality.
A large number of students and women from Maharashtra participated in this programme. The event was held at a time when there was recent tension at the College of Engineering, Pune (COEP) hostel.
During the interaction, Rahul Gandhi discussed various issues related to students and the country with the young participants. The Congress party had been preparing for this event in Pune for several days. Senior Congress leaders from Maharashtra were also stationed in Pune before the programme. This event was part of Rahul Gandhi's ongoing 'Students' Echo' initiative, through which he is engaging with students and discussing issues affecting the youth.
The event in Pune was also held at a time when Congress leaders alleged that female students were intimidated at the COEP hostel before the programme. These allegations surfaced after a clash between ABVP and NSUI members on the campus on Friday. Rahul Gandhi's interaction with the students followed his meeting earlier this month with student protesters in Delhi, where he listened to their accounts of police excesses during the July 20 protest.