look news india
Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the girl students and youth in the youth dialogue program ‘Chhatra Ki Goonj’ organized in Pune, gave an inspiring and strong message on the personal freedom, identity and self-reliance of women. Rahul Gandhi said that women have to recognize their power and independent existence. He told the girls in clear words that you definitely have a relationship with your father, brother, husband or son, but your sole identity cannot be decided only by these relationships; You are not under anyone else but yourself and are your own boss.
‘Women are not subordinate to anyone, they are the biggest asset of the country’
Rahul Gandhi said during the program that India’s 70 crore women are the biggest strength of this country. They have their own unique journeys, aspirations and dreams. He said that women are always seen in the category of daughter, wife or mother. There is no harm in these relationships, but defining women only on the basis of relationships with men is undermining their independent existence. She called upon women to stand up for their rights, believe in themselves and not hesitate in achieving their personal goals.
Tough questions raised by mentioning the verses of Manusmriti
In his address, Rahul Gandhi attacked patriarchal thinking by citing historical texts. He said that in texts like Manusmriti, it has been said that a woman should be subordinate to her father in childhood, husband in youth and son in old age and she should never be independent. Terming these rules as completely unfair and shameful, Rahul Gandhi said that such a system cannot be accepted at all in today’s modern India. Women have their own independent existence and should have the right to take their own decisions at every stage of life.
Discussion on 4 methods of control and violence on women
Speaking directly to the girl students, Rahul Gandhi analyzed social constraints and pointed out that patriarchy tries to control women in four main ways:
-
Violence and physical torture: Discrimination and physical abuse before or after birth.
-
Disrespect and inferiority complex: Underestimating the capabilities of women and making them feel second class.
-
Economic restrictions: Not giving equal share in property and family decisions.
-
Time and movement control (lock): Imposing time restrictions on staying out late, working, and living the life you want.
Emphasis on girls’ education, safety and career freedom
Rahul Gandhi said that today the daughters of the country should get complete freedom to move forward in every field of education, employment, sports and career. Often, due to marriages or family pressure, girls leave their education midway. He appealed to the youth that the society will have to change its thinking and create a safe environment where daughters can pursue their dreams without any fear.