Priyanka Gandhi’s ‘Palestine’ Handbag Sparks Political Row in Parliament

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi caused a stir in Parliament today by carrying a handbag with a bold “Palestine” tag. This gesture has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP, which called it “crass communal posturing.”

Priyanka Gandhi’s Stand on Gaza Crisis

Priyanka Gandhi, known for her vocal criticism of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, had earlier described Israel’s military actions as “barbaric and inhuman.”

The controversy follows her recent meeting with Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, a representative of the Palestinian Embassy, at her residence.

The diplomat congratulated her on her Lok Sabha victory from Wayanad and urged India to take a leadership role in brokering a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.

BJP’s Sharp Response

BJP leaders were quick to condemn Priyanka Gandhi’s move. “Was the bag a statement? Why has she kept mum on issues of Bangladeshi Hindus? It is a big question mark,” BJP MP Anurag Thakur told NDTV. He added, “This is an Indian Parliament, meant to raise the concerns of 140 crore Indians.”

Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT cell, accused Priyanka Gandhi of “communal virtue signalling.” He tweeted, “Sporting a bag in support of Palestine in Parliament is crass communal posturing. Make no mistake, Congress is the New Muslim League.”

BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana dismissed the gesture as a mere attempt to gain publicity. “People do such things for news when they are rejected by the public,” he told IANS.

Priyanka Gandhi Responds

Priyanka Gandhi dismissed the criticism, stating, “Tell them to do something about the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, talk to the Bangladesh government, and not say stupid things.”

She also addressed accusations of communal posturing, calling out patriarchy in politics: “Who is going to decide what clothes I wear now? That’s typical patriarchy. I will wear what I want.”

In July, she had condemned the Israeli military offensive, calling it “a violation of international law” and urging global leaders to pressure Israel to halt its actions.

India’s Position on Palestine

India has long supported a two-state solution advocating for an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated this stance in Parliament, affirming India’s commitment to a “sovereign, independent, and viable Palestinian state.”

India’s record on Gaza resolutions at the UN reflects this balanced approach. Since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October 2023, India has supported 10 out of 13 UN resolutions on Palestine.

Additionally, the country has provided 70 metric tonnes of relief material to Gaza and contributed $5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

Bangladesh’s Minority Crisis and Gandhi’s Follow-Up Move

The controversy escalated when Priyanka Gandhi arrived in Parliament the following day with another handbag, this time bearing a slogan advocating for Bangladeshi minorities: “Stand with Bangladeshi Hindus and Christians.”

Addressing the issue during Zero Hour, she urged the government to raise concerns about minority persecution in Bangladesh with the country’s government.

“The government should engage diplomatically to ensure the safety of Hindus and Christians in Bangladesh,” she said.

Her remarks came in the wake of attacks on minorities following the ouster of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this year.

Political Fallout

The handbag incident has intensified political tensions in Parliament, with BJP leaders accusing Gandhi of prioritizing international concerns over domestic issues. “First, it was Asaduddin Owaisi with his ‘Jai Palestine’ slogan, and now it’s Priyanka Gandhi with her Palestine bag,” Thakur remarked.

However, Priyanka Gandhi defended her actions, invoking India’s principles of democracy and justice. Recalling India’s role in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, she said, “Our fight was about principles and democracy. These values make India great.”

As the Israel-Palestine conflict and Bangladesh’s minority crisis dominate international headlines, Priyanka Gandhi’s actions in Parliament have reignited debates about India’s foreign policy and the role of symbolic gestures in political discourse.

Whether her move will resonate with the public or fuel further criticism remains to be seen.