Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Bansuri Swaraj Challenges Rahul Gandhi Over Women’s Empowerment
A disagreement started after actor Kriti Sanon was criticized online for her clothes in a jewellery advertisement.
Rahul Gandhi defended her and said women should be free to choose what they wear.
BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj criticized Gandhi for doing this.
She said he had not spoken out during some earlier controversies involving comments about women.
Swaraj also questioned his views on the Women’s Reservation Bill.
She asked why there were no women leaders, according to her, in the Congress units in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh.
Swaraj said Prime Minister Narendra Modi supports women’s empowerment.
She called for a better Leader of the Opposition.
The dispute is mainly about how political leaders respond to issues involving women.
BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj accused Rahul Gandhi of misogyny during a dispute over actor Kriti Sanon’s jewellery advertisement.
Gandhi defended Sanon, saying women should have the freedom to decide what they wear and urging trolls to stop targeting them.
Swaraj alleged Gandhi had remained silent over remarks targeting Kangana Ranaut, Hema Malini and the President of India.
She also questioned Gandhi’s position on the Women’s Reservation Bill and the representation of women leaders in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh.
Swaraj praised Narendra Modi’s governance model and claimed that 48 per cent of India’s women are leading startups worldwide.
- Who
- BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi; actor Kriti Sanon is central to the advertisement controversy.
- What
- Swaraj criticized Gandhi’s comments defending Sanon and accused him of misogyny, while Gandhi said women should choose what they wear without being targeted by trolls.
- When
- The exchange took place on Wednesday; the articles do not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- The statements were made in India, with Swaraj speaking to reporters; the advertisement was for a jewellery brand’s festive campaign.
- Why
- The dispute followed online criticism of Sanon’s outfit in a Rakshabandhan advertisement for GIVA.
Rahul Gandhi’s Position
Bansuri Swaraj’s Position
Women’s clothing and online criticism
Rahul Gandhi’s Position
Gandhi defended Kriti Sanon and said women should have the freedom to decide what they wear, while asking trolls to stop targeting them.
Bansuri Swaraj’s Position
Swaraj argued that Gandhi’s defense of Sanon was inconsistent with his alleged silence over other insulting remarks involving women.
Women’s empowerment
Rahul Gandhi’s Position
Gandhi’s comments framed personal choice and opposition to online targeting as part of respecting women’s freedom.
Bansuri Swaraj’s Position
Swaraj highlighted Narendra Modi’s women-led development model and accused Gandhi of failing to support women’s empowerment adequately.
Political record and representation
Rahul Gandhi’s Position
The article does not provide Gandhi’s response to Swaraj’s specific allegations about the Women’s Reservation Bill or party leadership.
Bansuri Swaraj’s Position
Swaraj questioned why, according to her, there was not a single woman leader in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh and asked why Gandhi opposed the Women’s Reservation Bill.
- Main speaker
- Bansuri Swaraj, a Bharatiya Janata Party MP
- Target of criticism
- Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha
- Advertisement
- A Rakshabandhan commercial for jewellery brand GIVA featuring Kriti Sanon
- Gandhi’s position
- Women have the freedom to decide what they wear, and trolls should stop targeting them
- Swaraj’s accusation
- She accused Gandhi of misogyny and alleged he had remained silent during previous controversies involving remarks about women
- Political issue raised
- Swaraj questioned Gandhi’s position on the Women’s Reservation Bill
- Claim about women-led development
- Swaraj said 48 per cent of India’s women are leading startups worldwide