Congress MP Shashi Tharoor denied allegations that he described his own party as anti-women during a recent Lok Sabha session [1].
The dispute highlights a political clash over the legacy of the Women's Reservation Bill and the perceived commitment of the Indian National Congress to gender equality.
Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju alleged that Tharoor had agreed the Congress party is anti-women. Tharoor refuted this claim on April 28, the day after the parliamentary exchange occurred [1, 2].
Tharoor addressed the allegation on social media, stating that he never made such a statement. He noted that seven witnesses [4] in a photograph from the encounter could confirm his version of the events [2].
"I am sorry, but with the greatest respect for @KirenRijiju, at no point did I say or imply any such thing — and I have seven witnesses in the photograph who can confirm that!" Tharoor said [2].
Tharoor defended the record of the Indian National Congress, asserting that the party has historically advocated for women's rights. He specifically cited the party's support for women's reservation under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi [3].
According to Tharoor, the party's commitment is evidenced by its previous backing of the Women's Reservation Bill in 2013 [5].
Rijiju responded to the tension by suggesting Tharoor's popularity among women might be a factor in the disagreement [3].
Tharoor said that the party has stood for women's rights and reservation under a strong woman President in Sonia Gandhi [3].
“"at no point did I say or imply any such thing"”
This exchange underscores the high stakes of gender-based political branding in India. By citing the 2013 support for the Women's Reservation Bill, Tharoor is attempting to neutralize the ruling party's narrative that Congress has historically obstructed women's legislative representation.
