BJP general secretary Smriti Irani on Sunday (August 23, 2026) asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to validate his words on supporting women by backing the implementation of 33% reservation for women in legislatures and also organising the singing of a full version of Vande Mataram that includes invocation of Goddess Durga at his party office.

Interacting with girl students at his 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' outreach programme in Pune on Saturday (August 22), Mr. Gandhi urged girl students to "smash patriarchy" and lashed out at "Manusmriti mindset", claiming that it forces a woman to remain under the authority of male relatives at every stage of her life.

The former Congress president also said violence is used in society to prevent women from progressing and that 80% of them face harassment.

"Since he has invoked religion, I have a request to that prominent leader of the Congress. The verses of Vande Mataram, some of which were halted at the Congress headquarters, contain a reference to Goddess Durga," Ms. Irani, the newly appointed BJP national general secretary, told reporters in New Delhi.

She was referring to the row over the Congress' decision to sing only two stanzas of the 'Vande Mataram' at their party programmes, which the BJP has decried as an "insult" to the national song.

Hitting back at Mr. Gandhi, Ms. Irani said, "Our religious ethos of Hindus not only upholds the tenet of 'Yatra naryastu pujyante ramante tatra devatah (where women are honoured, divinity resides)', but we also worship Goddesses like Bhagwati, Lakshmi and Saraswati." "We worship Goddess Durga as the embodiment of 'Shakti' [divine power]. I urge that the full rendition of Vande Mataram, including the verses invoking Goddess Durga, be performed at the Congress headquarters," she said.

Mr Gandhi can put into action the words he spoke yesterday in support of women and their leadership by backing the "immediate implementation" of reservation for women and organising the rendition of the full version of Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters, Ms Irani said.

A Bill ensuring 33% reservation for women across the country to enhance Parliament's dignity through their presence has already been passed, the former Union Minister said.

"Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi stated at an event that he supports women. Since a key Congress leader has spoken in support of women and women's leadership, I humbly request him to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative to swiftly implement the bill granting 33% reservation for women in Parliament," she said.

Published - August 23, 2026 05:06 pm IST