Irani challenges Congress on response to sexual harassment allegations

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani on Tuesday raised questions about the Congress party's response to sexual harassment allegations that led to the dismissal of a JNU professor and Congress MP. Irani pointed out the disparity between the party's public advocacy on gender-related issues and its handling of the recent case. The minister noted that Congress leadership frequently speaks about challenging patriarchal systems and advancing women's rights, but questioned what substantive action has been taken regarding the MP involved in the allegations. JNU authorities had terminated the professor following the sexual harassment complaint, prompting fresh scrutiny of how the Congress party has addressed the matter internally. The development has become a focal point in the broader political debate surrounding institutional accountability and gender justice. Irani's remarks underscore growing political pressure on the Congress to clarify its position and demonstrate concrete measures in response to the allegations.