Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Swami Challenges Rahul Gandhi’s Manusmriti Remarks Over Women’s Rights
Rahul Gandhi criticized a passage from Manusmriti about women’s independence.
He said the passage makes women seem controlled by fathers, husbands and sons.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati disagreed with Gandhi’s interpretation.
He said the word “Rakshati” means to protect, not to control.
The Swami argued that Sanatan traditions respect women and recognize women scholars.
He also said it was wrong to link the Bharatiya Janata Party to Manusmriti.
Gandhi and the Swami therefore have different views about the meaning of the passage.
The disagreement has led to accusations of misinformation and political misuse of religious texts.
Rahul Gandhi criticized a Manusmriti passage about women’s dependence on male relatives.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati accused Gandhi of anti-Hindu views, misinformation and political distortion.
The Swami said “Rakshati” means protection and describes family responsibility, not control over women.
He cited revered women scholars and traditions to argue that women hold an important place in Sanatan thought.
The Swami rejected claims linking the Bharatiya Janata Party to Manusmriti, saying India is governed by its Constitution.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi and Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati are the main figures in the dispute.
- What
- The Swami criticized Gandhi’s remarks about Manusmriti, women’s rights and Sanatan traditions.
- When
- Gandhi made the remarks on Saturday; the Swami responded on Tuesday.
- Where
- Gandhi spoke at a Congress youth outreach event in Pune, while the response was issued from New Delhi.
- Why
- They disagree over whether the cited Manusmriti verse describes women’s subordination or society’s responsibility to protect them.
Rahul Gandhi’s Criticism
Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s Response
Meaning of the Manusmriti verse
Rahul Gandhi’s Criticism
Gandhi presented the verse as saying that women should remain under the authority of fathers, husbands or sons and called it shameful.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s Response
The Swami said the verse concerns family and social responsibility to protect, respect and provide for women, not their subjugation.
Use of religious texts
Rahul Gandhi’s Criticism
Gandhi used the passage to criticize ideas he associated with restrictions on women’s independence.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s Response
The Swami accused Gandhi of taking ancient texts out of context to advance a political narrative and mislead society.
Manusmriti and the Bharatiya Janata Party
Rahul Gandhi’s Criticism
Gandhi’s remarks, as described by the Swami, linked the Bharatiya Janata Party with support for Manusmriti.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s Response
The Swami rejected that alleged link, saying India’s political system is governed by the Constitution of India.
- Original remarks
- Rahul Gandhi said women belong to themselves and criticized a Manusmriti passage concerning authority over women.
- Response
- Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati called Gandhi’s interpretation ignorant, misleading and politically motivated.
- Key Sanskrit term
- The Swami said “Rakshati” means “to protect,” rather than to control or subjugate.
- Women cited by Swami
- He referred to Gargi, Maitreyi and Lopamudra as respected women scholars and sages.
- Political claim
- The Swami rejected an alleged link between the Bharatiya Janata Party and Manusmriti.
- India’s governing framework
- He said independent India’s governance and political system are governed by the Constitution of India.
- Previous action claimed
- The Swami said Gandhi had previously been declared “excommunicated from Hinduism” over repeated criticism of Manusmriti and other scriptures.