Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Yogi Adityanath Attacks Rahul Gandhi Over Manusmriti Remarks
Rahul Gandhi spoke to girls about ideas he linked to Manusmriti.
He said women should belong to themselves, not to their fathers, husbands or sons.
He urged them to challenge patriarchy, which means unfair power given to men.
Yogi Adityanath strongly disagreed with Gandhi’s comments.
Yogi said they insulted India’s traditions and heritage.
He said Gandhi should act responsibly because he is the Leader of the Opposition.
Yogi suggested that Gandhi read several ancient Indian texts to understand Manu.
He also accused Gandhi and Congress of harming national institutions and India’s heritage, while the reports do not include Gandhi’s response.
Yogi Adityanath accused Rahul Gandhi of disparaging India’s traditions, heritage and institutions over his comments on Manusmriti and patriarchy.
Gandhi urged girl students in Maharashtra to challenge the “Manusmriti mindset,” “smash patriarchy” and reject the idea that women belong to male relatives.
Yogi said Gandhi’s position as Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition required accountability to democracy and the Constitution.
Yogi advised Gandhi to study the Atharvaveda, Shatapatha Brahmana and Matsya Purana to understand references to Manu.
Yogi also criticised Gandhi and Congress over the Army, terrorism, Lord Ram, “urban Naxals,” the Emergency and respect for freedom fighters.
- Who
- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticised Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
- What
- Yogi accused Gandhi of insulting India’s traditions and heritage over remarks about Manusmriti, women’s independence and patriarchy.
- When
- The reports were published on August 24, 2026, and describe Gandhi’s remarks as having been made on Saturday; reports differ on whether Yogi spoke on Sunday or Monday.
- Where
- Yogi spoke at a programme in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, including an event marking the 222nd birth anniversary of Rana Beni Madhav Baksh Singh.
- Why
- Yogi said Gandhi’s constitutional role required accountability and argued that his remarks and other alleged positions showed disrespect toward Indian heritage and institutions.
Rahul Gandhi’s position
Yogi Adityanath’s position
Manusmriti and women
Rahul Gandhi’s position
Gandhi said the “Manusmriti mindset” should be challenged, urged girl students to “smash patriarchy” and said women belong to themselves rather than to their fathers, husbands or sons.
Yogi Adityanath’s position
Yogi said Gandhi was disparaging India’s traditions and heritage. He argued that Manu should be understood through ancient Indian texts and a broader view of relationships between men and women.
Responsibilities of the opposition leader
Rahul Gandhi’s position
The reports do not provide Gandhi’s response to Yogi’s criticism or his position on the constitutional responsibilities cited by the chief minister.
Yogi Adityanath’s position
Yogi said Gandhi had sworn to uphold the Constitution and was accountable to democracy, but had failed to perform the positive and responsible role expected of the Leader of the Opposition.
National institutions and heritage
Rahul Gandhi’s position
Gandhi’s reported comments focused on patriarchy and Manusmriti-related ideas; the reports do not record him responding to Yogi’s additional accusations.
Yogi Adityanath’s position
Yogi accused Gandhi and Congress of questioning the Army, encouraging anti-national elements, questioning Lord Ram’s existence in Ayodhya, allowing “urban Naxals” to influence youth and failing to honour freedom fighters.
- Main speaker
- Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
- Target of criticism
- Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha
- Gandhi’s remarks
- He criticised the “Manusmriti mindset,” urged girls to “smash patriarchy” and said women belonged to themselves.
- Event
- A Raebareli programme marking the 222nd birth anniversary of Rana Beni Madhav Baksh Singh
- Texts cited by Yogi
- The Atharvaveda, Shatapatha Brahmana and Matsya Purana
- Additional allegations
- Yogi criticised Gandhi and Congress over the Army, terrorism, Lord Ram, “urban Naxals,” the 1975 Emergency and freedom fighters.
- Development projects
- One report said Yogi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 346 projects worth Rs 879 crore in Raebareli.
- Date discrepancy
- Reports variously describe the speech as occurring Sunday or Monday, while identifying August 24, 2026 as the reporting date.
Sources
Why do you want to destroy India's heritage: CM Yogi blasts Rahul Gandhi over Manusmriti remark
Read Manusmriti before you comment on it: Yogi to Rahul
‘Disparage India’s Tradition And Heritage’: CM Yogi Slams Rahul Gandhi Over Manusmriti Remark
‘Disparage India’s traditions and heritage’: CM Yogi tears into Rahul Gandhi’s Manusmriti remarks
Consider it your birthright to denounce India’s heritage: Adityanath slams Rahul over Manusmriti remarks,
‘You are insulting India’s heritage, provoking youth’: Yogi Adityanath targets Rahul Gandhi over Manusmriti remark
