Rahul Gandhi urges women to 'be loud, be proud, fight for their space'

In Pune, Rahul Gandhi hailed women as India's strength, urging them to 'smash the patriarchy' and assert their identity. He criticized defining women by traditional roles and highlighted their potential during the 'Chhatron ki Goonj' campaign.

'Women are the strength of India'

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said women are the "strength of India" and urged them to assert their identity, fight for their rights and challenge patriarchal norms.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, "Women are the strength of India - its foundation, its present, and its future." "You belong to no one but yourself. Be loud. Be proud. Fight for your space. Smash the patriarchy!" he added. Women are the strength of India - its foundation, its present, and its future. You belong to no one but yourself. Be loud. Be proud. Fight for your space. Smash the patriarchy!#ChhatronKiGoonj pic.twitter.com/sRAbs8m2ZA — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 22, 2026

Gandhi Addresses 'Chhatron ki Goonj' in Pune

His remarks came as he highlighted the role of women in shaping the country's present and future during the 'Chhatron ki Goonj' campaign in Maharashtra on Saturday.

Women as India's 'Biggest Asset'

Addressing the programme, Gandhi said India's greatest strength lies in the aspirations, dreams and potential of its women. "Many times, people ask me, 'What is India's biggest strength?' You get many answers when you ask this question. Somebody will say our economy. Somebody will say our military. Somebody will say our medical system. Somebody might even say our people, but I am very clear on what is India's biggest strength, our biggest asset, and that strength is 70 crore unique journeys, unique imaginations, unique dreams that the women of India are living," he said.

Gandhi also criticised the tendency to define women primarily through their relationships with others, saying their identities should not be restricted to traditional roles. "Whenever I speak to a man, women are put in three boxes. You are seen as a daughter, a wife, or a mother. Now, there is nothing wrong with being seen as a wife, daughter, or mother. But this cannot be your only identity," he said.

He said women who excel as professionals, sportspersons and in other fields deserve recognition beyond traditional roles.

Critique of Historical Texts

Gandhi also referred to the Manusmriti while discussing historical attitudes towards women and quoted a passage that, he alleged, denies women independence.

Gandhi also referred to the Manusmriti while discussing historical attitudes towards women and quoted a passage that, he alleged, denies women independence.

The 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' Initiative

The 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' campaign, launched by Gandhi in 2026, seeks to provide a platform for student concerns, including examination irregularities, paper leaks, rising education costs, recruitment-related issues and unemployment. The campaign has previously been held in Kota, Dehradun and Prayagraj and is aimed at bringing student grievances into the national political discourse. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)