A day after her “Palestine” handbag stirred controversy in Parliament, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra intensified the debate by carrying another symbolic bag, this time addressing the plight of minorities in Bangladesh.
New Bag on Minority Rights in Bangladesh
Priyanka Gandhi arrived at Parliament with a bag bearing the slogan, “Stand with Bangladeshi Hindus and Christians,” highlighting concerns over violence against minorities in Bangladesh following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this year.
During the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, she urged the government to diplomatically engage with Dhaka to ensure the protection of Hindus and Christians facing persecution. Priyanka stated:
“The government should raise the issue of atrocities on minorities, both Hindus and Christians, in Bangladesh. We should discuss this with the Bangladesh government and support those who are in pain.”
Fallout from the “Palestine” Handbag Incident
The renewed focus on Priyanka Gandhi’s accessories comes after a political uproar over her previous handbag that featured the word “Palestine” alongside a watermelon, a widely recognized symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The bag triggered sharp criticism from the ruling BJP, who accused her of sidelining domestic issues in favor of international matters.
When questioned about her handbag choice, Priyanka Gandhi dismissed the backlash, describing it as patriarchal:
“Who is going to decide what clothes I wear? That’s typical patriarchy. I will wear what I want.”
She added that her views on the Palestine issue were already public through her previous social media statements.
BJP’s Strong Criticism
The BJP took aim at Priyanka Gandhi’s recent actions, framing them as misplaced priorities. Union Minister Anurag Thakur questioned her silence on Bangladeshi Hindu issues earlier, stating:
“It is an Indian Parliament. MPs are elected to raise concerns of 140 crore Indians. First, it was Asaduddin Owaisi with ‘Jai Palestine,’ and now Priyanka Gandhi with a Palestine bag.”
BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya criticized Priyanka for “communal virtue signalling,” saying, “Sporting a bag in support of Palestine in Parliament is crass communal posturing.” In response, Priyanka hit back at her critics, saying, “Tell them to do something about the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, not say stupid things.”
Historical Context and India’s Stance
Recalling India’s intervention in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Priyanka emphasized the importance of standing against injustice. She remarked:
“Our fight in 1971 was for principles, democracy, and against atrocities. Indira ji and our country stood up when no one else did.”
India has consistently maintained strong historical and strategic ties with Bangladesh. However, recent reports of violence against minorities in Bangladesh have raised concerns, prompting calls for diplomatic intervention.
On the Palestine issue, India continues to support a two-state solution advocating for a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently reaffirmed this stance in Parliament, noting that India has provided humanitarian aid, including 70 metric tonnes of relief and $5 million to the UNRWA for Palestinian refugees.
Priyanka Gandhi’s symbolic gestures in Parliament have reignited debates over political priorities, international diplomacy, and gender dynamics. While the Congress leader continues to defend her actions, the BJP remains critical, accusing her of diverting focus from domestic concerns.
