- August 22, 2026
‘Women Don’t Need To Prove Anything To Anyone’: Rahul Gandhi At Chhatron Ki Goonj Event In Pune
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Rahul Gandhi told women students in Pune that women are India’s biggest asset and should not be defined solely by family roles, urging them to pursue their own dreams.
Rahul Gandhi while addressing Chhatraon ki goonj in Pune
Women are India’s biggest strength and asset, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said while addressing a women-focused Chhatron Ki Goonj event in Pune on Saturday, arguing that women should not be defined only by their relationships with men.
Gandhi said India’s women represent “70 crore unique journeys, unique imaginations, unique dreams” and described them as the country’s biggest asset.
Explaining why he considers women an important strength for India, Gandhi said women are, in his view, more sensitive, gentle, compassionate and forward-looking than men.
“And that is why I believe fundamentally that India’s women, young and old, are India’s biggest asset,” he said.
Gandhi then highlighted what he described as a major problem in the way women are perceived. He said women are often placed into three roles — daughter, wife and mother.
“Now, there is nothing wrong with being seen as a wife, daughter or mother. Nothing wrong with it. But this cannot be your only identity,” Gandhi said.
He argued that women can have several identities beyond their family roles, including as professionals, sportspersons and people pursuing different careers and interests.
Gandhi also pointed out that each of the three commonly assigned identities — daughter, wife and mother — is defined through a woman’s relationship with a man.
“And notice that every single one of those identities has a relationship with a man. So you are either a mother, or a wife, or a daughter,” he said.
Gandhi also referred to the Manusmriti while making his argument about women’s independence. He quoted a passage which, according to him, places women under the authority of their fathers, husbands and sons at different stages of life.
“A woman must never be independent,” Gandhi said while quoting the text, and criticised the idea as being contrary to women’s independence.
Calling the words a “shame”, Gandhi said women should instead be encouraged to stand on their own and believe in themselves.
Gandhi stressed that women can have family relationships without being treated as belonging to those family members.
“The biggest strength of this country is the fact that our women should be independent, should stand for themselves, should believe in themselves. You belong to nobody. You do not belong to anybody except yourself,” he said.
He added that women can have relationships with their fathers, brothers, husbands and sons, but those relationships should not determine their identity or sense of independence.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18The Congress party has proposed several policies to support women’s independence, including a monthly allowance of 2,000 rupees for women aged 18-59, strict laws against violence, fast-track courts, a 24-hour helpline, and free public transport for women. Additionally, they plan a 5,000 crore rupee special fund for women’s enterprises, offering interest-free loans up to 5 lakh rupees. In Puducherry, Rahul Gandhi also promised free bus travel for women if Congress comes to power.
Ask News18About the Author
Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can …Read More
August 22, 2026, 19:58 IST
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