Who decides what I wear? Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slams ‘typical patriarchy’ over Palestine handbag criticism | Mint
Congress leader and member of parliament (MP) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who stirred up a storm in Parliament by carrying Palestine-themed handbag has responded to the criticism she faces, particularly from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.
“Who is going to decide what clothes I am going to wear? This is typical patriarchy, deciding what a woman should wear,” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is heard telling a reporter on being asked by the reporters about BJP leaders questioning the appropriateness of her outfit.
Wayanad MP, Priyanka Gandhi made a political statement in a show of support to Palestine people on Monday as she flashed her bag while moving in and out of the Parliament. The bag reading ‘Palestine’ is a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians, which also featured a watermelon. The fruit motif is a long-recognised symbol of resistance in the region.
Gandhi’s move did not resonate well with the opposition, inviting a snide criticism from BJP leader Sambit Patra, who called it “appeasement bag.”
Who is going to decide what clothes I am going to wear? This is typical patriarchy, deciding what a woman should wear.
During a press briefing, Sambit Patra said, “The Gandhi family has always been carrying the bag of appeasement. The appeasement bag is the reason behind their rout in elections.”
Long-time supporter of Palestine cause
The Congress general secretary, who is a first time MP, has been speaking against Israel’s actions in Palestine’s Gaza and expressing solidarity with Palestinians since the onset of the conflict, a stance which is against India’s official line regarding the issue.
Earlier this month, speaking during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s long-standing support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict by calling for the establishment of a “sovereign, independent, and viable Palestinian state” alongside Israel/
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s X handle is full of solidarity post for the people of Gaza, something that no other top brass Congress leader has been doing.
In June, she slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what Vadra had said were the Israel government’s “genocidal actions” in Gaza, as she accused him and his government of “barbarism”.
