Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday, 24 August launched a sharp counter to Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi's call to 'smash patriarchy,' accusing the Indian National Congress (INC) of selectively targeting Hindu society while staying silent on challenges faced by women in minority communities. The exchange marks the latest flashpoint in an ongoing political battle over women's empowerment between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress.

What Rijiju Said

Reacting via a post on his X handle, Rijiju questioned the Congress's framing. “Congress says, ‘Smash patriarchy.’ Why always target only Hindus? What about minority women? What about Triple Talaq? Are Muslim girls not our sisters and betis?” he wrote.

The minister insisted that any credible stand for women must be universal. “If you truly stand with women, stand with every woman, every community, every time,” Rijiju said, arguing that selective campaigns risk fracturing society rather than uniting it.

Rijiju's Counter-Narrative on Women's Progress

Rijiju pointed to Indian women's achievements in elite fields as evidence of progress under the current dispensation. “Our Indian betis are leading in ISRO, flying fighter jets and winning medals at the Olympics,” he noted. He also cited government-backed initiatives — including Lakhpati Didis and Drone Didis — as concrete expressions of what he called Nari Shakti, or women's empowerment.

The minister cautioned against what he characterised as politically motivated narratives. “Do not undermine Indian betis to divide Indian society,” Rijiju wrote, framing the Congress's rhetoric as potentially divisive rather than constructive.

What Gandhi Had Said

The remarks that triggered Rijiju's response came when Rahul Gandhi addressed a largely female audience, describing India's 70 crore women as the country's biggest asset. Gandhi criticised what he called rigid patriarchal control that, in his view, limits women's freedom of expression and opportunity — using the phrase 'smash patriarchy' as his rallying call.

A Pattern of Sharp Exchanges

Rijiju's rebuttal is not an isolated incident. The two leaders have traded pointed remarks previously on issues spanning women's reservation, social justice, and the framing of empowerment. This time, the BJP's counter-argument rests on the charge of selective outrage — a line the party has deployed consistently against the Congress on minority-related issues, including the now-abolished practice of Triple Talaq.

The debate is unlikely to cool quickly. With the Monsoon Session of Parliament concluded and political parties calibrating their messaging ahead of upcoming state polls, both sides have strong incentives to keep the women's empowerment narrative in the public eye — each on their own terms.