Congress MP from Raebareli, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'cultural shock' remark over girls using abusive language
at the Jantar Mantar protest. The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha during the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' program — an event meant to reach out to students -- said that at Jantar Mantar, abusive language was used by both girls and boys, but the PM called it a "cultural shock" that girls used this language, alleging that this is a mindset to control women and to give full freedom to boys. Gandhi played a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi referring to abusive language used by girls during the agitation at Jantar Mantar over paper leaks and wondering how "daughters" could use such language, calling it a cultural shock. Rahul said, "This is the kind of India we don't want. We want justice. We want equal respect for both boys and girls."
What Did PM Modi Say
In a video message shared on Instagram on July 31, PM Modi said, "Hi friends, I feel like talking only to you today. The entire country and the world saw what happened at Jantar Mantar."
"Some mischievous youngsters hurled abusive and obscene insults. They used language that has no place in any civilized society. They abused me. Not just me, but they also abused my late mother," he added.
"I don’t know what kind of state of mind they were in, but today I want to say that mistakes happen in childhood and youth. And at that stage of life, people also have the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. That is what being young is about," he had said.
"It’s a cultural shock that how can our daughters speak this kind of language," PM Modi said.
"I want to forgive them. I hope society will also accept my appeal. Because I believe that sometimes our tongue gets caught between our teeth. It may bleed, but we do not break our teeth, because the teeth are ours and the tongue is ours. In the same way, these children are ours. It is our duty to guide them," the Prime Minister said.
He added that taking legal action alone would not solve the problem. "Punishing them, dragging them through court cases will not change the situation."
"It is our responsibility to show them the right path. Guiding someone who has gone astray is difficult, but difficult tasks must be undertaken. So, I say to these children: come, let us move forward together for the country. Learn something new. Learn from your mistakes. Pursue your dreams and move ahead," he said.
Rahul Gandhi Targets 'Manusmriti Mindset'
During the Pune event, Rahul Gandhi also lashed out at "Manusmriti mindset" and urged girl students to "smash patriarchy", while taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "cultural shock" remark.
Gandhi said women belong to themselves and not to their fathers, husbands or sons, and termed as shameful the Manusmriti's prescription that a woman should remain under the authority of male relatives at every stage of her life.
India's biggest strength is the "70 crore unique journeys, unique imagination, unique dreams" of its women, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said, adding that being somebody's daughter, wife or mother could not be their only identity.
