Controversy is the middle name of Rahul Gandhi. After being reinstated as an MP, following the Supreme Court’s stay on his conviction in ‘Modi surname’ defamation case, Gandhi’s inappropriate behaviour in Parliament sparked fresh controversy. As the Congress leader was exiting Parliament after aggressive speech on Aug 9, he allegedly blew a flying kiss to women BJP MPs.
The gesture, reminiscent of his 2018 wink, drew immediate criticism from Union Minister Smriti Irani and also led to an outcry from BJP women MPs. They filed a formal complaint with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, describing the act as disdainful & disrespectful to female parliamentarians.
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje along with other women BJP MPs protested against Rahul’s abhorrent gesture an filed a complaint. In their letter addressed to Om Birla, they expressed concern about Gandhi’s conduct during a Parliamentary session. They claimed that Rahul Gandhi’s indecent gesture was directed at Union Minister Smriti Irani & fellow women lawmakers.
It is paramount to mention here that elected representatives must behave responsibly in public life. Winking, blowing kisses and other such cheap antics undermines the dignity and gravitas of the House. The MPs must always remember that Parliament is a place for important businesses and not for vacation.
While replying on No-Confidence Motion, Smriti Irani took strong exception of Gandhi’s inappropriate gesture and condemned the act without explicitly naming him. She denounced his act as highly undignified and said that it was unbecoming of a Parliamentarian. Unfortunately, soon after public condemnation, an army of trolls launched a vilification campaign against Minister. Social media got abuzz with videos rebuking Irani for calling out Gandhi’s ‘bad behaviour’.
#WATCH | Union Minister and BJP MP Smriti Irani says, “I object to something. The one who was given the chance to speak before me displayed indecency before leaving. It is only a misogynistic man who can give a flying kiss to a Parliament which seats female members of Parliament.… pic.twitter.com/xjEePHKPKN
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2023
The conduct of a senior leader like Rahul Gandhi on floor of the House during discussion on a serious topic like Manipur violence, speaks poorly of his understanding of decorum of the House. The outrageous statements made by Congress leaders blew the lid on party’s priorities on women emancipation. Congress party’s disrespect for women Parliamentarians was evident from this one episode.
One wonders, what would the troll army be doing, if Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi were seen blowing kisses in Parliament? If the two former Prime Ministers conducted themselves in a dignified way, kept a cool head on their shoulders, kept courage under fire, what ails Rahul Gandhi? Why must he be such ‘L’enfant terrible’?
