Rahul Gandhi is at his most compelling when his unfiltered candour cuts through the euphemisms of political discourse. At a recent ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ interaction with young women in Pune, the Leader of Opposition (LoP), while criticising patriarchy, took aim at the Manusmriti for its regressive portrayal of women as occupying subordinate roles. Rahul spoke about the violence against women but expanded the definition beyond physical violence to include what he called the violence of denied opportunity and the many forms of control women face in their everyday lives. He actually made space for the women on the stage to come and tell their stories.

Calling Indian women India’s biggest asset, Rahul drew attention to the depressing reality that 99% of cases of sexual violence go unreported because of social stigma; that nearly 4.5 lakh cases of female foeticide occur every year; and that 29% of women endure physical violence and 6% face rape. If that were not enough, 84% of women need their families’ permission to take up employment. Rahul wants an enlightened society to be the wind beneath the wings of women waiting for that little push to succeed in their professional lives. According to him, what is........

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