Rahul Gandhi invites women to share experiences on Instagram

Congress MP and LoP Rahul Gandhi has asked women across India to share what being an Indian woman means to them, including their struggles, dreams and challenges. In an Instagram video, Gandhi said he wanted to hear their own voice, not society's or family's. He shared several responses highlighting experiences of control, patriarchy, discrimination, and social expectations. One woman wrote of 'constantly facing control disguised as concern,' while others spoke about paper leaks, unaffordable colleges pushing women towards early marriage, and restrictions on clothing. Times of India reports that the exercise stemmed from his team preparing for his upcoming 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme in Pune, which has received permission from the Maharashtra government subject to 30 conditions.

Separately, at the India Today Women's Summit 2026, Union Minister Anupriya Patel discussed structural barriers for women in politics, noting that women hold 13.6% of Lok Sabha seats against a global average of 27.4%. Patel advocated for expanding total parliamentary seats to accommodate reservations and growing electorates, and detailed government schemes like Jan Dhan, Lakhpati Didi, and Mudra loans as part of a shift toward women-led development. India Today also reported that Gandhi, in a separate interaction, quoted the Manusmriti asserting women are subjected to fathers, husbands, and sons, calling it a 'shame' and arguing women must be independent.

The same India Today report covered a BJP strategy meeting at the party headquarters focusing on youth outreach and a ten-point resolution to sing the complete six stanzas of Vande Mataram at party programmes ahead of upcoming state polls and the 2029 general elections. The party also announced a month-long Seva Sankalpa to mark 25 years of leadership.