Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has slammed the BJP’s criticism over her “Palestine” bag, calling it an example of “typical patriarchy.” Speaking to the media, she challenged the question of who gets to decide what women wear, asserting, “Who is going to decide what clothes I wear now? That’s typical patriarchy, that you decide what women wear too. I don’t subscribe to that. I will wear what I want.” The bag, which she carried to Parliament, featured the word “Palestine” and a watermelon symbol, representing solidarity with Palestine, a cause Priyanka has been vocal about, especially in opposition to Israel’s actions in Palestine since the Hamas attacks last October.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, when holding up the bag, emphasized that her beliefs were clear, as reflected in her social media posts. The bag sparked a wave of both support and criticism, with some BJP MPs accusing her of playing identity politics. BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana dismissed it as a publicity stunt, while others like Manoj Tiwari accused her of appeasing Muslim voters for political gain.

Union Minister SP Singh Baghel suggested that carrying a ‘Swadeshi’ product could have sent a positive message for Indian industries instead of a politically charged symbol. However, Priyanka dismissed these criticisms, focusing instead on the need for the government to address the atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh rather than focusing on “useless things.”

While the controversy around her bag continues, the Indian government reiterated its stance on Palestine, supporting a two-state solution and calling for peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine.