Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Pawan Khera Manusmriti Joke Sparks Debate Over Congress Secularism
Pawan Khera, a Congress leader, made a joke about Manusmriti, an old Hindu text.
His comment appeared alongside a post showing a copy of the text being burned.
The article says this was disrespectful and different from carefully studying or criticising the text.
It argues that Congress leaders are more careful when discussing some other religions.
The article calls this “selective secularism,” meaning that the same rules are not applied to everyone.
It also discusses other controversial comments by Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders.
Supporters of the criticism may say Manusmriti contains ideas that should be rejected today.
The article agrees that the text can be debated, but says political leaders should use evidence and civility instead of mockery.
It asks whether Congress would make the same joke about another religion’s scripture.
Congress leader Pawan Khera wrote that smoking and Manusmriti are “injurious to health” while responding to a post showing the text being burned.
The article argues that Khera’s remark mocked and demonised Manusmriti rather than offering historical, philosophical or scholarly criticism.
It accuses Congress of applying religious sensitivity inconsistently, particularly when Hindu beliefs, symbols and texts are involved.
The article cites Rahul Gandhi’s comments about a “Manusmriti mindset,” his 2024 “Shakti” remark and the 2010 “saffron terrorism” controversy as examples of disputed rhetoric.
The article acknowledges that Manusmriti can be criticised and rejected, but argues that criticism should be intellectually serious and applied consistently across religions.
- Who
- Congress leader Pawan Khera is central to the controversy; the article also discusses Rahul Gandhi, Congress and other party figures.
- What
- Khera posted that smoking and Manusmriti are “injurious to health” in response to an image of the text being burned, prompting accusations of selective secularism.
- When
- The tweet’s date is not specified. The article also refers to Rahul Gandhi’s March 2024 “Shakti” controversy, P. Chidambaram’s August 2010 remark and Gandhi’s August 22, 2026 event in Pune.
- Where
- The central remark was made on social media; the article also mentions political events in Mumbai and Pune.
- Why
- Critics argue that Khera’s comment treated a Hindu text with contempt and that Congress does not apply equal standards of religious sensitivity.
Critics of Congress
Contextual and Constitutional Defence
Meaning of Khera’s remark
Critics of Congress
The article’s critics say Khera amplified the burning of Manusmriti and reduced criticism of the text to a mocking slogan, amounting to demonisation rather than serious debate.
Contextual and Constitutional Defence
The article acknowledges that ancient texts, including Manusmriti, may be criticised, contextualised and rejected, and that no religious text overrides the Constitution.
Religious sensitivity
Critics of Congress
Critics argue Congress treats Hindu scriptures and symbols as acceptable targets while showing greater caution toward other religions, which they call selective secularism.
Contextual and Constitutional Defence
The article notes that opposing particular legislation or criticising a text is not inherently illegitimate; for example, Congress objected to criminalisation provisions in the triple talaq bill on legal and due-process grounds.
Political rhetoric
Critics of Congress
The article presents Khera’s comment, Rahul Gandhi’s “Manusmriti mindset” remarks, the “Shakti” controversy and “saffron terrorism” as evidence of a recurring pattern of careless rhetoric involving Hindu concepts.
Contextual and Constitutional Defence
The article also says politicians may invoke religious imagery and that criticism of religion is compatible with democracy, provided it is consistent, evidence-based and civil.
- Central figure
- Pawan Khera, a senior Congress leader
- Controversial remark
- “Smoking and ManuSMRITI are injurious to health.”
- Depicted act
- The post Khera responded to showed a woman lighting a cigarette with a burning copy of Manusmriti.
- Congress position discussed
- The article links the controversy to the party’s broader claims about secularism and constitutional morality.
- Other controversy cited
- Rahul Gandhi said in March 2024 that he was “fighting against Shakti,” then said he meant a different conception of power.
- Historical example
- Home Minister P. Chidambaram referred to “saffron terrorism” in August 2010.
- Legal context
- The article notes that Congress opposed criminalisation provisions in the 2019 Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill while saying it was not defending triple talaq.