📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Textiles
Politics
Smriti Irani Rebukes Rahul Gandhi Over Manusmriti Remark, Calls for Support on Women’s Reservation Bill
✍️ The Economic Times
🗓 23 Aug 2026, 11:48 PM
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Union Minister Smriti Irani criticised Rahul Gandhi for invoking Manusmriti and urged him to back the pending women’s reservation legislation.
Union Minister Smriti Irani publicly challenged Rahul Gandhi after the opposition leader referenced the ancient text Manusmriti in a recent statement. Irani described the remark as regressive and out of step with contemporary constitutional values.
She emphasized that the focus should be on advancing gender equality through legislative action, specifically urging Gandhi to endorse the long‑delayed women’s reservation bill that seeks to reserve 33% of seats for women in Parliament and state assemblies.
Irani’s remarks come amid heightened debate over the bill’s political viability, with the ruling party having pledged support but opposition parties remaining divided. The minister’s call aims to pressure the opposition into a unified stance on the issue.
No further comments were recorded from Rahul Gandhi at the time of reporting. The discourse highlights the broader contest between the government and opposition on social reform agendas ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.
She emphasized that the focus should be on advancing gender equality through legislative action, specifically urging Gandhi to endorse the long‑delayed women’s reservation bill that seeks to reserve 33% of seats for women in Parliament and state assemblies.
Irani’s remarks come amid heightened debate over the bill’s political viability, with the ruling party having pledged support but opposition parties remaining divided. The minister’s call aims to pressure the opposition into a unified stance on the issue.
No further comments were recorded from Rahul Gandhi at the time of reporting. The discourse highlights the broader contest between the government and opposition on social reform agendas ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.