Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Fadnavis Accuses Rahul Gandhi of Opposing Women’s Rights
Devendra Fadnavis criticised Rahul Gandhi after Gandhi spoke to students in Pune.
Fadnavis said Gandhi talks about empowering women but opposed the Women’s Reservation Bill.
BJP leaders also accused Congress of favouring political families.
Fadnavis said 1.50 lakh young people came voluntarily to a separate youth event in Nagpur.
He had earlier alleged that influencers were paid to promote Gandhi’s event.
Leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) defended Gandhi.
They said the Pune crowd came on its own and stayed for hours.
The disagreement is mainly about women’s political rights, the size of the crowds, and whether the event was genuinely spontaneous.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused Rahul Gandhi of opposing women’s rights and the Women’s Reservation Bill.
Fadnavis made the remarks in Nagpur, a day after Gandhi’s student event in Pune.
He claimed 1.50 lakh young people attended the BJP-linked Manthan 4 Yuva event voluntarily.
BJP leaders criticised Gandhi’s discussion of patriarchy and linked it to Congress dynastic politics.
Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) leaders praised Gandhi’s event and disputed BJP allegations about its organisation.
- Who
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders, and leaders of Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP).
- What
- Fadnavis criticised Gandhi over the Women’s Reservation Bill and his Pune student event, while opposition allies defended Gandhi and the event’s turnout.
- When
- Fadnavis spoke on Sunday, one day after Rahul Gandhi’s Saturday event in Pune.
- Where
- The criticism was made in Nagpur; Rahul Gandhi’s event took place in Pune, Maharashtra.
- Why
- The dispute followed Gandhi’s remarks about women’s empowerment and the competing parties’ differing claims about attendance and event promotion.
BJP criticism
Opposition allies’ defence
Women’s Reservation Bill
BJP criticism
Devendra Fadnavis said Rahul Gandhi opposed the Women’s Reservation Bill despite speaking about women’s empowerment, and claimed Gandhi voted against it.
Opposition allies’ defence
The article reports that Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) praised Gandhi’s event, but does not provide their specific response to Fadnavis’s claim about the bill.
Pune event turnout
BJP criticism
Fadnavis alleged that social media influencers were paid Rs 30,000 to promote Gandhi’s event.
Opposition allies’ defence
NCP (SP) leaders said the crowd gathered spontaneously, with young people standing for about five hours to hear Gandhi.
Political messaging
BJP criticism
BJP vice-president Keshav Upadhaye argued that Congress criticism of patriarchy conflicted with what he called the party’s dynastic politics and preference for family legacy.
Opposition allies’ defence
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare called Gandhi “the reassuring voice of India,” while Sanjay Raut said BJP criticism reflected concern about the event’s large turnout.
- Main critic
- Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra’s chief minister
- Target of criticism
- Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition
- Contested issue
- Fadnavis said Gandhi opposed the Women’s Reservation Bill and voted against it.
- Pune event
- Rahul Gandhi addressed the Chhatron Ki Goonj event on Saturday.
- Nagpur event
- Fadnavis said 1.50 lakh young people attended Manthan 4 Yuva, Nagpur 2026.
- BJP allegation
- Fadnavis alleged that social media influencers were paid Rs 30,000 to promote Gandhi’s event.
- Opposition response
- Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) said Gandhi’s Pune audience gathered spontaneously and praised his interaction with students.