Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has sparked a political debate after carrying a bag with “Palestine” written on it to Parliament. While the gesture drew sharp criticism from the BJP, it garnered praise from Pakistan’s former minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, further fueling the controversy.
Pakistani Minister Hails Priyanka Gandhi
Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Pakistan’s ex-information minister, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to laud Priyanka Gandhi, stating she had “stood tall amidst pigmies.” He praised her gesture as a sign of courage, drawing a comparison to her grandfather, Jawaharlal Nehru. Hussain remarked, “What else could we expect from a granddaughter of a towering freedom fighter like Jawaharlal Nehru?” He lamented that no Pakistani parliamentarian had shown such bravery in supporting Palestine.
What else could we expect from a granddaughter of a towering freedom fighter like Jawaharlal Nehru? Priyanka Gandhi has stood tall amidst pigmies, such shame that to date, no Pakistani member of Parliament has demonstrated such courage.#ThankYou pic.twitter.com/vV3jfOXLQq
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) December 16, 2024
BJP Slams Gandhi for ‘Appeasement’
The BJP launched a scathing attack on Priyanka Gandhi, accusing her of indulging in “appeasement politics.” BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya criticized her, stating: “At the end of this Parliament session, observe a two-minute silence for everyone in the Congress, who believed Priyanka Vadra was the long-awaited solution. She is a bigger disaster than Rahul Gandhi, who thinks sporting a bag in support of Palestine is about fighting patriarchy.” Malviya further alleged that the Congress party’s actions were “communal virtue signaling cloaked as a stance against patriarchy.”
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra echoed these sentiments, accusing the Congress of “carrying the bag of appeasement.” Patra stated, “The Gandhi family has always been carrying the bag of appeasement. This is the reason for their losses in elections.”
Priyanka Gandhi’s Response: ‘Patriarchy at Play’
Responding to the criticism, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra defended her choice, calling the BJP’s remarks a reflection of patriarchal mindsets. She said, “Who is going to decide what clothes I wear now? This is typical patriarchy where women are told what to wear and what not to wear. I don’t subscribe to it. I will wear what I want.”
VIDEO | Here's what Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) said in response to a media query on BJP criticism of her 'Palestine' bag.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 16, 2024
"Tell them to do something over the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, talk to Bangladesh government, and not say stupid… pic.twitter.com/euK5U6XY3H
Gandhi emphasized that her choice of attire should not be a matter of political debate, dismissing the BJP’s critique as unwarranted.
Solidarity with Palestine
This incident follows Priyanka Gandhi’s recent show of solidarity with Palestine, where she was seen wearing a black-and-white keffiyeh (a traditional Palestinian headscarf) during a meeting with Palestinian Embassy representatives. Her visible support has sparked mixed reactions in India’s political sphere, with critics accusing her of politicizing international issues.
The Bigger Picture
The political row surrounding Priyanka Gandhi’s Palestine bag underscores the ongoing polarization in Indian politics, particularly over sensitive global issues. While the Congress leader’s supporters view her actions as a symbol of solidarity and independence, the BJP continues to frame it as “appeasement politics.”
Priyanka Gandhi’s defense against patriarchal accusations adds another dimension to the debate, resonating with conversations about gender equality and personal autonomy in the political space.
This news report is curated with insights from multiple reliable news sources.
