New Delhi: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has sparked a political confrontation, with BJP leaders strongly condemning his remarks and challenging the Congress party’s record on women’s representation.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Gandhi described the RSS as an “all-male anti-constitutional cult” and alleged that the organisation viewed women as subordinate to men. He also expressed his determination to oppose the Sangh, invoking the concept of Shiva-Shakti and claiming that many women associated with the organisation supported his position.
The comments drew a sharp response from BJP leaders. Maharashtra BJP MLA Ram Kadam accused Gandhi of making uninformed statements about the RSS and urged him to understand the organisation’s structure before criticising it. He pointed out that a separate women’s organisation associated with the Sangh operates across the country, challenging the claim that women lack a role within its wider network.
Kadam also described Gandhi’s remarks as childish and argued that such statements were inappropriate for a Leader of the Opposition.
Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao questioned the Congress party’s own record on gender equality. He asked Gandhi to explain the representation of women in senior leadership positions within the party and challenged him to account for the number of women chief ministers in Congress governed states. Rao also highlighted the BJP’s appointment of a woman chief minister in Delhi.
Rao further questioned the Congress over its position on the proposed 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures, linking the issue to delimitation. He accused the party of taking an inconsistent position on women’s political empowerment.
The BJP leader also raised allegations concerning a Congress MP who was suspended and removed from a university position following a sexual harassment case, questioning the party’s response to the matter.
Gandhi has repeatedly criticised the RSS over gender equality and patriarchal traditions. In August, during his youth outreach programme, Chhatron Ki Goonj, in Pune, he targeted the Manusmriti over its treatment of women and promoted the slogan “Smash the Patriarchy”.
