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“Talks about women empowerment but opposes reservation bill for them”: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis slams Rahul Gandhi

Sanjeev Kumar | August 23, 2026 6:21 PM CST

Targeting Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday claims that the Congress leader only talks about women's empowerment but "opposes" key legislation, such as the Women's Reservation Bill, "when it comes to actually supporting the cause".

Speaking at a press conference after the closing ceremony of "Manthan 4 Yuva - Nagpur 2026", Fadnavis said, "As for Rahul Gandhi, while he spoke about women's empowerment on stage, the most revolutionary step towards empowering women is the Women's Reservation Bill--a bill that Rahul Gandhi opposes and has voted against. He does not want to ensure that women are given their rights.

Targeting further, he used a hindi idiom, "haathi ke daant khane ke aur, dikhane ke aur", which means -- all show and no substance.

Highlighting the participation of youth in the event, Fadnavis said, "The Gen Z and youth of Maharashtra present at this venue came entirely on their own. They all arrived organically. A total of 1.25 lakh people participated in this event, and teams of drum players led by 585 flag bearers set a new world record here today."

On Friday, CM Fadnavis alleged that Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event in Pune was not a genuine student gathering but a politically planned programme aimed at creating controversy and giving Gandhi a "re-launch". He further alleged that social media influencers were being paid Rs 30,000 to attend or promote the event.

Fadnavis claimed that people were told about the programme as an event and were asked to attend it, after which they would be paid.

"We have got to know that people were told that this is an event. They were asked to come, and then they would be paid," Fadnavis said.

He added that the programme was managed as an event rather than being an organic student gathering. According to Fadnavis, instructions had been issued for only female students from Congress-affiliated colleges to attend the event.

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday addressed the Pune leg of the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' campaign, highlighting issues concerning women's safety, rights and social control, and asserting that violence, disrespect and concerns disguised as care can become tools of oppression.

Addressing the programme, Gandhi said women face multiple forms of violence and that safety concerns also lead to loss of educational and employment opportunities.