Pune: ‘Smash the patriarchy, break the cage’ was the message that Leader of Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi gave to thousands of women who had gathered here to interact with him during the ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ programme in Pune, Maharashtra. He told them, “Be proud, be loud and fight for your space in the society.”

He says that I came to Pune not to give you a lecture, not to tell you what I think, not to talk politics to you, but more to allow you to express yourself, to say what you feel, to say what you think. And what I have done is I have put a little framework, some ideas to allow you to think, express yourself, and we will discuss some of these ideas with young ladies from the crowd this evening. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi also hit out at the BJP and the RSS, saying women must get rid of the patriarchy prescribed by the Manusmriti which was still in practice in the country. Quoting the Manusmriti, he said that it denied the women an independent identity and existence as it said, during childhood, a woman belongs to her father; in youth, to her husband; and in old age, to her son. A woman must never be independent.” This is a direct quote from the Manusmriti and these words are a shame, because these words should never ever have been spoken. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi said that the biggest strength of this country is the fact that a woman should be independent, should stand for themselves, and should believe in themselves. You belong to nobody; you do not belong to anybody except yourself. Telling the women that each one of them was unique, he said, “You are unique, you are special and you have your own vision and dream for your life.” But he regretted that women are restrained and restricted at every step and said that they are subjected to everyday oppression, which is disguised as concern. Asserting that India’s biggest strength is 70 crore unique journeys, unique imaginations, and unique dreams that the women of India are living, he explained, “Women are by nature more sensitive, more gentle, more compassionate and more forward looking than men.”

He said that no matter what a woman does professionally, she is viewed only as a daughter, a wife or as a mother. He said that there is nothing wrong in being seen as wife, daughter or mother, but this cannot be their only identity.

As Rahul Ji asked the women whether they felt that the society and men were trying to control them in everything they try to do, they responded with a resounding “yes”. He identified multiple methods of control that women are subjected to. The first method, he said, was “violence”. Second, he added, was “disrespect”, third was “oppression” disguised as concern and time was also used as a weapon against them.

He noted that women are often restrained with a virtual threat, ‘Kuchh ho gaya toh’ (What if something happens).” He identified various types of violence women are subjected to. He said that 4.5 lakh girls are killed every year in India before they are born through female foeticide.

Harassment, he added, was another form of violence women were subjected to. He said that 80 percent of girls have been harassed somewhere - on the road, in bus, in restaurant, school, college or workplace. He said that 29 percent of women have faced physical violence.

Noting that women were subjected to financial discrimination, Shri Rahul said that in any job, women get 25 percent less salary than men. Leader of Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi said that the women are also subjected to “violence of opportunity”. He said that 50 percent of women are forced to reject work or education for safety concerns to escape violence. He said that women are also victims of financial violence. “The average Indian woman has to spend Rs. 17,500 every year on her safety,” he said. Talking about the ways to control women in the country, he said that 60 percent girls cannot step out alone from home and they have to be accompanied by someone. Referring to financial control, he said that only 8 percent of women in the country independently own property.

Shri Rahul Gandhi also played a video during the programme showing how the BJP and the RSS were enforcing the patriarchal archetypes. He played excerpts from the speeches where the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heard taking offence over the girls using abuse and claiming it to be a “cultural shock”. He noted that PM probably wouldn’t have any problem if the boys abused. Similarly, Shri Rahul Gandhi expressed surprise over what RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat meant by saying, “Rapes take place in India, but not in Bharat”. In a separate speech, Union Minister ML Khattar is heard saying, “in 80 percent rape cases, women are responsible”. He said, “This is the Manusmriti mindset to crush women, this mindset has to be changed and we are fighting against this mindset.” “We don’t want an India where boys should get full freedom and girls should not. We want justice and respect for all - boys as well as girls,” he said, adding, “whatever is in your heart, the fear must be removed for good.”

Asserting that girls are the strength of India, he told them “You are the foundation and future, but patriarchy is crushing you and we have to smash the patriarchy… my message is simple - be loud, be proud, and fight for your space in society.”

Several women interacted with Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi at the stage and narrated their tales of discrimination, harassment and everyday fight, raising issues of patriarchal discrimination. Bhojpuri singer Neha Rathore also interacted with Shri Rahul Gandhi during the programme and sang a song taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue of intimidating and threatening women.