BJP attacks Rahul Gandhi over Manusmriti remarks, cites hijab video

The Bharatiya Janata Party intensified its political offensive against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, responding to his recent statements about the Manusmriti by resurfacing an earlier video in which Gandhi expressed support for women wearing the hijab. BJP leaders shared the footage widely on social media, characterizing Gandhi's positions as contradictory and questioning his commitment to women's rights.

The ruling party's counter-narrative suggested that Gandhi's approach to women's freedom varies depending on religious context. Senior BJP figures posed pointed questions to the Congress parliamentarian, asking whether he applies different standards for measuring women's autonomy based on religious identity.

Gandhi's original remarks about the Manusmriti, an ancient Hindu legal text that has long been subject to controversy over its treatment of women and marginalized groups, prompted swift reactions from BJP spokespersons. The party sought to portray the Congress leader as inconsistent on matters of women's empowerment and religious freedom.

The exchange reflects the sharp ideological divide between the two major political parties on questions of constitutional values, religious traditions, and women's rights. The BJP's strategy focused on highlighting perceived contradictions in Gandhi's public statements rather than engaging substantively with his critique of the ancient text.

The incident underscores the contentious nature of debates surrounding historical Hindu texts and their contemporary relevance in Indian public discourse, with both parties seeking to establish moral authority on issues of social justice and religious freedom.