Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra recently faced criticism from several BJP MPs over her choice of a bag with “Palestine” inscribed, which she brought to Parliament.
The controversy sparked a debate on personal freedom and patriarchy, with Gandhi Vadra firmly stating, “Who is going to decide what clothes I wear now? That’s typical patriarchy: You decide what women wear, too. I don’t subscribe to that. I will wear what I want.”
The bag featured the word “Palestine”, and a watermelon—a symbol of solidarity with Palestine—became a focal point in Parliament. Gandhi Vadra has been vocal about her views on Israel’s actions against Palestine, aligning her personal fashion choices with her political beliefs. In response to inquiries, she referenced her Twitter handle for her stance on the issue.
India's Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi carries a bag with 'Palestine' written on it in Parliament, expressing solidarity with Palestine. pic.twitter.com/thxBihCYSW
— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) December 16, 2024Gandhi Vadra’s Rebuttal and Focus on Bigger Issues
The choice of bag drew mixed reactions, with supporters cheering Gandhi Vadra and some BJP MPs accusing her of trying to appease Muslim voters. North-East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari and Union Minister SP Singh Baghel expressed concerns that Gandhi Vadra’s actions targeted consolidating Muslim votes, suggesting she should promote ‘Swadeshi’—or Indian-made—products instead.
"Who's Going To Decide What I Wear?" Priyanka Gandhi On 'Palestine' Bag Row https://t.co/fJWDZJWx9J
🎥: https://t.co/pvX0JbhfUL pic.twitter.com/KftwJy0jB3
— NDTV (@ndtv) December 17, 2024In response to the accusations, Gandhi Vadra criticized the focus on her bag as trivial and urged the Centre to address more pressing issues, such as the protection of minorities in Bangladesh following political changes there. She dismissed the criticisms of her bag as “useless things” and called for attention to be directed towards meaningful actions.
Amid this domestic controversy, the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated India’s consistent stance on the Palestine issue, supporting a negotiated two-state solution that ensures a sovereign, independent Palestine living peacefully alongside Israel.
