BJP leader and a lawyer attached to the Supreme Court (SC), Nazia Khan, said on Friday that she has filed a complaint against Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his remarks on the Manusmriti. Khan alleged that Gandhi selectively quoted the ancient text and attempted to create a ‘false impression.’

Furthermore, she also criticised Gandhi for displaying images of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, while speaking about the Manusmriti. 

News agency ANI quoted Khan as saying, “Since the BJP government came to power, has the PM ever stated that everyone must read or follow the Manusmriti? He will have to answer why he did this.” 

Khan accuses Gandhi of maligning Manusmriti

Elaborating on her stance, Khan said that Gandhi had picked out a single chapter from the Manusmriti and twisted its words to portray the ancient text in a bad light. 

She said, “The way the Manusmriti has been maligned: by picking out a single chapter and twisting the words, attempts have been made to create a false impression.” Questioning Gandhi’s decision to use pictures of BJP and RSS leaders during his remarks, Khan asked why images of PM Modi, CM Yogi and RSS chief Bhagwat had been displayed in the background. 

She asked, “But why did he display the photographs of the PM and the respected CM Yogi Adityanath in the background? Why did he display the photograph of Mohan Bhagwat?”

Rahul Gandhi’s remarks that sparked a row

Gandhi had criticised what he termed the ‘Manusmriti mindset’ during the Pune session of his campaign, “Chhatron ki Goonj” on Saturday. He voiced demands for an end to patriarchal attitudes, and urged the students in attendance at the event to ‘smash the patriarchy,’ arguing that women belonged to themselves rather than to their fathers, sons or husbands. 

Gandhi said, “I would like to quote here the Manusmriti, which says clearly that in childhood a female must be subject to her father, in youth she belongs to her husband and, when her lord is dead, she belongs to her sons. A woman must never be independent. These words are a shame. These words should not have been spoken.”

BJP leaders, including UP CM Yogi Adityanath, were quick to criticise his stance on the Manusmriti. 

CM Yogi hits back

On Monday, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, while addressing a programme in Rae Bareli, urged Gandhi to study religious texts before commenting on them. He said, “You comment on Manusmriti, Ram, and Indian heritage. If you wish to understand Manusmriti, read Atharvaveda, Shatapatha Brahmana, and Matsya Purana; you will find all the information there.” 

He went on to say that Gandhi was expected to demonstrate accountability towards the Constitution and democracy. 

He also questioned why Gandhi wanted to ‘lead India’s children’ and the younger generation towards a situation where a mother or another person later has to feel ashamed and apologise?