Rahul Gandhi Urges Women to Reject Patriarchal Norms in Pune

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi addressed students during the fourth edition of the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' youth outreach programme in Pune on August 22. During the event, Gandhi rejected the norms of the Manusmriti, which prescribe that women remain under the authority of male relatives, calling such views "a shame."

Gandhi argued that a woman's identity should not be limited to her roles as a daughter, wife, or mother, asserting that women belong only to themselves. He urged young women to break free from social, economic, and psychological restrictions, describing women as India's biggest asset due to their compassionate and forward-looking nature.

To highlight systemic inequality, Gandhi cited data showing that women aged 15-29 spend 5.5 hours daily on housework compared to 30 minutes for men, and noted that 84% of women require family permission to work. He discussed various forms of control, including physical violence and economic discrimination, while female students shared concerns regarding limited educational opportunities and safety on public transport. Gandhi concluded by urging the youth to "break the cage" and fight for their space in society to unlock the potential of India's 70 crore women.