Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Smriti Irani Urges Rahul Gandhi to Back Women’s Reservation
Rahul Gandhi said women are one of India’s greatest strengths.
He urged women to become independent and challenge unfair traditions.
Smriti Irani responded by asking him to support a law reserving seats for women in legislatures.
She said the law would reserve 33% of seats in Parliament and state assemblies.
Irani also asked the Congress party to sing the full version of Vande Mataram.
She said the omitted verses mention Maa Durga, a goddess worshipped by Hindus.
Congress has decided to use only the first two stanzas at its party events.
This has created a disagreement between the BJP and Congress.
The two sides are arguing about both women’s representation and the song’s complete rendition.
Smriti Irani urged Rahul Gandhi to support the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and its implementation.
The law provides 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, according to Irani.
Rahul Gandhi recently called women India’s greatest strength and urged young women to break patriarchal constraints.
Irani also asked Congress to permit a full rendition of Vande Mataram at its headquarters.
The dispute follows Congress’s decision to restrict party-program renditions of Vande Mataram to its first two stanzas.
- Who
- BJP National General Secretary Smriti Irani and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi are central to the exchange.
- What
- Irani urged Gandhi to support women’s reservation and asked Congress to allow the full rendition of Vande Mataram.
- When
- Irani made the remarks after the second day of a BJP office-bearers’ meeting; Gandhi spoke the previous day at an event in Pune.
- Where
- The remarks were reported in New Delhi, while Gandhi’s comments were made at the Chhatron Ki Goonj event in Pune.
- Why
- Irani said supporting the reservation law and the complete song would give effect to Gandhi’s stated support for women and women’s leadership.
Congress and Rahul Gandhi’s Position
BJP and Smriti Irani’s Position
Women’s leadership and reservation
Congress and Rahul Gandhi’s Position
Rahul Gandhi said women are India’s greatest strength, do not belong to anyone but themselves, and should challenge patriarchal systems.
BJP and Smriti Irani’s Position
Smriti Irani urged Gandhi to support the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and its swift implementation.
Full rendition of Vande Mataram
Congress and Rahul Gandhi’s Position
The Congress Working Committee has decided to restrict renditions of Vande Mataram at party programmes to its first two stanzas.
BJP and Smriti Irani’s Position
Irani argued that the full song should be sung at Congress headquarters because the omitted verses mention Maa Durga.
Parliament and party decisions
Congress and Rahul Gandhi’s Position
Congress has maintained its resolution limiting the song’s rendition at party events.
BJP and Smriti Irani’s Position
Irani said a political party’s statement cannot be greater than Parliament or the nation’s Parliament.
- Women’s reservation
- The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam provides 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, according to Smriti Irani.
- Rahul Gandhi’s remarks
- Gandhi called women India’s greatest strength and urged young women to break the cage.
- Irani’s request
- She asked Gandhi to support swift implementation of the women’s reservation law.
- Vande Mataram
- Irani asked Congress to permit the full rendition of the national song at its headquarters.
- Congress resolution
- The Congress Working Committee decided to continue restricting renditions at party programmes to the first two stanzas.
- Religious reference
- Irani said the omitted verses mention Maa Durga, whom Hindus worship as a focal point of divine power.