Hrithik Roshan Questions BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj's Remarks on Patriarchy

Actor Hrithik Roshan has generated significant discussion online following his response to a video featuring BJP Member of Parliament Bansuri Swaraj. Swaraj had linked Rahul Gandhi's call to 'smash the patriarchy' with singing the national song Vande Mataram during remarks made in August. Her comments were highlighted once again after Hrithik Roshan reacted to the video, questioning the connection between the two topics with a simple, incredulous post: 'Huh? Is this real. Wow?'

The exchange has raised eyebrows, particularly as Hrithik's comment quickly gained traction, amassing over 10,000 likes and generating more than 100 responses. Ruchira Chaturvedi, Congress’s national convenor for social media and digital communications, initially shared the video of Swaraj’s comments, revitalising interest in the debate.

During a gathering in Pune on August 22, Rahul Gandhi encouraged a crowd of young women to confront societal norms, stating, 'We must work together to dismantle this patriarchy.' He cited a comment from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had described feeling a 'cultural shock' when women used abusive language during protests, questioning why only the behaviour of girls was highlighted.

Rahul's criticism of a perceived double standard in society was rooted in historical attitudes reflected in the Manusmriti, an ancient text outlining social codes in Hindu culture. He articulated the need for collective action against patriarchal structures, stating, 'Patriarchy crushes you, frightens you, controls you.'

In response to these remarks, Bansuri Swaraj presented a rather unconventional challenge. She urged Rahul to sing the full version of Vande Mataram, suggesting that a connection could be established between singing the national song and addressing issues of patriarchy. 'If you want to smash the patriarchy, I challenge you to sing the full Vande Mataram. I am very comfortable in singing the Vande Mataram in its entirety,' she declared at a media briefing, questioning the alignment of the Congress party's actions with their stated values. The Congress, in a bid to avoid potential controversies surrounding the song, has opted to sing only two of its six stanzas in formal settings.

Swaraj's comments re-emerged in public discussion following Hrithik Roshan's post, prompting various reactions from social media users. Many questioned the coherence of her connection between nationalism and the battle against patriarchy, with some suggesting a fundamental misunderstanding of the issues at play. Chaturvedi echoed these sentiments, stating, 'Does she even know what she is saying? What has smashing the patriarchy got to do with Vande Mataram?'

This ongoing dialogue highlights the complexities of modern political discourse in India, where cultural symbols and social critiques intersect and often provoke diverse interpretations. The discourse around the appropriateness of such comparisons will likely continue as more individuals engage in this evolving conversation.