Bansuri Swaraj slams Congress over alleged misbehaviour with BJP women workers
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Bansuri Swaraj on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, accused the Congress of practising “double standards” on women’s safety and respect, alleging that a national-level Congress office-bearer shoved and behaved rudely with BJP women workers who were staging a peaceful protest outside the Congress party headquarters in New Delhi. Swaraj demanded to know why the Congress leadership had maintained silence over the incident, despite its public stance on women’s rights.
The Allegation Against the Congress Office-Bearer
Addressing a press conference, Swaraj alleged that Sanjeev Singh, a national-level Congress office-bearer, “was engaged in shoving and behaved rudely with BJP women workers” during the protest outside the Congress headquarters. She accused the Congress of “attempting to shield” Singh, and warned that “necessary legal action would be taken against the concerned Congress office-bearer regarding the alleged misconduct.”
Swaraj pointed to what she described as a broader pattern, citing alleged instances of mistreatment of female police personnel and female journalists. “The incident involving BJP women workers, who were staging a peaceful protest outside the Congress headquarters, reflects this same attitude,” she said.
BJP Invokes Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Smash the Patriarchy’ Slogan
Referring to Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Smash the Patriarchy’ slogan, the BJP MP said: “The conduct of the Congress party’s top leadership appears to contradict these slogans.” She directly questioned Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sonia Gandhi, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, asking why no clear response had come from the party regarding the alleged mistreatment of its women workers.
JNU Professor Case Cited
Swaraj also raised the case of complaints lodged by 11 female students from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) against Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who has since been dismissed from service. According to Swaraj, an internal committee found the accused guilty after investigating the allegations, yet “even in that instance, the expected response has not come from Rahul Gandhi or the Congress leadership.” She said the BJP would continue its efforts to secure justice for the 11 JNU students.
BJP’s Position and Next Steps
Invoking the occasion of Navratri, Swaraj stated: “No one should make the mistake of underestimating women.” She asserted that neither the BJP nor the women of the country would be “intimidated by such alleged hooliganism.” The BJP MP said securing justice for the affected women workers remains a priority, and the party would not back down. Legal action against the Congress office-bearer is reportedly being pursued.
The Congress party had not issued an official response to the allegations at the time of this report.