In Pune, a stage and a space, new and old
In Pune, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, addressed a gathering of young women from the stage, emphasizing that women should not be defined by their relationships with men, as they belong to themselves. Gandhi highlighted the "violence of denied opportunities" and the various forms of control women face daily. His speech at the mainstream political event resonated with the audience, as he provided a platform for women to share their own stories.
The Congress leader strategically used the occasion to criticize a political opponent who found themselves on the defensive. He referenced the Manusmriti and swiftly responded to the UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, demonstrating that the remark had not gone unnoticed. However, the Pune performance opened up a new space that had previously been visible in 2014 when Narendra Modi made his first I-day address as Prime Minister.
Modi questioned why parents who restrict their daughters impose different standards for their sons, implying that they had never asked their sons about their activities and plans.
Despite Gandhi's progressive stance, the Congress party in its Central Working Committee (CWC) resolution reverted to a more traditional approach. They decided to sing only two verses of 'Vande Mataram' instead of the original six stanzas, as they had previously committed in 1937. This shift reflects Congress's attempt to balance a secular point without fully backing it up.
The resolution pointed out that the party failed to oppose the amendment granting 'Vande Mataram' the same statutory protections as the national anthem in Parliament, with only two members criticizing it in the Lok Sabha.
The Congress party's new and old politics resonate in the wake of the successful student agitation. The impact of the Jantar Mantar protests has left a sense of new possibilities and a challenge for mainstream parties. Young people have asserted their presence, demanding to be heard, and all political parties must adapt to these changes by adopting new ways of thinking, listening, and speaking.
Written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
