Rahul Gandhi Urges Women to ‘Smash Patriarchy’ in Pune

PUNE, August 22, 2026: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged thousands of women in Pune to “smash the patriarchy” and “break the cage”, calling on them to be proud, vocal and assertive in fighting for their space in society.

Addressing the Pune edition of the ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ programme, Gandhi said women were subjected to discrimination, violence and restrictions in everyday life. He urged them to overcome fear and challenge systems that sought to control their choices and identities.

Gandhi criticised the BJP and RSS, arguing that what he described as a “Manusmriti mindset” continued to influence attitudes towards women. Referring to the Manusmriti’s traditional description of women’s dependence on their fathers, husbands and sons at different stages of life, he said such ideas denied women an independent identity.

“Be proud, be loud and fight for your space in society,” Gandhi told the gathering.

He said every woman was unique and had her own dreams and aspirations, but was often restricted at different stages of life, with oppression being presented as concern for her safety.

Gandhi said women faced several forms of control, including violence, disrespect, restrictions on opportunities and financial dependence. He cited figures relating to female foeticide, harassment, physical violence, unequal pay and restrictions on women’s access to education and employment.

He also highlighted what he described as financial discrimination, saying women earned less than men in many jobs and that only a small proportion independently owned property.

Gandhi further criticised what he described as unequal standards applied to men and women. A video played during the programme featured excerpts from speeches by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Union Minister M.L. Khattar, which Gandhi cited as examples of attitudes he said reinforced patriarchal thinking.

“This is the Manusmriti mindset to crush women. This mindset has to be changed and we are fighting against this mindset,” Gandhi said.

He stressed that he wanted an India where both boys and girls enjoyed freedom, justice and respect equally.

“Girls are the strength of India. You are the foundation and future, but patriarchy is crushing you and we have to smash the patriarchy,” Gandhi said, urging women to remove fear from their lives.

Several women interacted with Gandhi on stage and shared experiences of discrimination, harassment and struggles against patriarchal restrictions.

Bhojpuri singer Neha Rathore also participated in the programme and performed a song criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi over what she described as intimidation and threats faced by women.