'Hindu baiter': CM Himanta slams Rahul Gandhi over Manusmriti row

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his criticism of the Manusmriti, accusing him of using women's rights as a smokescreen to target Hinduism. Sarma argued that Gandhi is a "Hindu baiter" who uses the cause of women's empowerment to discredit Hindu Dharma. Gandhi had earlier criticized the "Manusmriti mindset" during an interaction with girl students in Pune, urging women to "smash patriarchy".

Sarma questioned Gandhi's stance on patriarchal practices under Sharia law, stating that he has never spoken out against such practices with the same outrage. He further challenged Gandhi to support a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) that guarantees equal rights irrespective of religion. Sarma also alleged that Congress had a history of compromising on women's rights, citing the Shah Bano case and the Triple Talaq legislation.