Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has strongly criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, challenging his focus on the "Manusmriti mindset" while allegedly ignoring patriarchal practices under Sharia law. Sarma's remarks came after Gandhi's recent comments on patriarchy during an interaction with girl students.
Gandhi's Remarks on Patriarchy
During a Saturday interaction with girl students in Pune, Rahul Gandhi spoke extensively about patriarchy, specifically criticizing what he termed the "Manusmriti mindset." He argued that this mindset forces women into subservient roles, placing them under the authority of male relatives at various stages of their lives.
Sarma Alleges "Hindu Baiting"
Reacting sharply to Gandhi's statements, Chief Minister Sarma accused the Congress leader of being a "Hindu baiter." Sarma contended that Gandhi uses the cause of women's empowerment as a "smokescreen" to discredit Hindu Dharma. He questioned why Gandhi has never spoken with similar outrage against what he described as patriarchal and medieval practices persisting under Sharia law.
"Consider this: how many times has he spoken with the same outrage against patriarchal and medieval practices that persist under Sharia? NEVER," Sarma stated, highlighting what he perceives as a double standard.
Manusmriti vs. Sharia: A Distinction
Sarma further drew a distinction between the Manusmriti and Sharia, emphasizing that the Manusmriti lacks comparable scriptural authority within Hindu Dharma and is not a universally binding code for Hindus. He contrasted this with Sharia, implying a stronger, more pervasive authority. Sarma reiterated his challenge, asking how often Gandhi attacks the Manusmriti versus Sharia with the same fervor, asserting that Hinduism's strength lies in its capacity for evolution and reform.
UCC Challenge and Congress's Record
The Assam CM also targeted the Congress party's historical record on women's rights. He accused the party of undermining the Shah Bano judgment and opposing the law against Triple Talaq. Sarma also alleged that Gandhi prioritized political power in Karnataka, ensuring no woman was included in the state Cabinet.
Posing a direct question, Sarma asked, "If women’s equality truly comes before politics, will he unequivocally support a Uniform Civil Code that guarantees equal rights irrespective of religion? Or will his idea of ‘women’s rights’ continue to begin and end with attacking Hinduism?" This challenge underscores the ongoing political debate surrounding women's rights and religious laws in India.