During a prime-time debate on a private news channel, DMK leader Constantine Raveendran, displaying a regressive attitude toward women, dismissed BJP MP Phangnon Konyak’s allegations against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as mere “drama.” Konyak, hailing from Nagaland, had accused Rahul Gandhi of misbehaving with her, invading her personal space, and shouting at her during a protest outside Parliament, which left her feeling “extremely uncomfortable.”
Shockingly, this dismissal came from senior DMK leader Constantine Raveendran.
Senior DMK leader Constantine Raveendran, in an attempt to defend his party’s ally, dismissed the concerns of BJP MP Phangnon Konyak, questioning her response to the alleged incident. He claimed, “The lady had not filed a complaint until then. If a woman felt affected, within minutes she could have furiously stood up? How fast could she have reacted to it? Hence, is this not a drama? this is a planned character assassination of Rahul Gandhi that he acted with force towards a women MP.” His remarks trivialized the MP’s allegations of discomfort and harassment during a protest outside Parliament.
In response, Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary SG Suryah, who was part of the debate panel, strongly criticized Raveendran’s remarks. Suryah stated, “This is completely unacceptable. After speaking in the Parliament, she filed a complaint with the police. I cannot accept that a woman would degrade herself for political purposes. I am requesting humbly that do not make such statements. The MP while addressing the Parliament cried—was that an acting? will everything be acting? She expressed feeling uncomfortable, he came close and shouted. If this was not how he acts, then what is the meaning of questioning that women? Such comments, akin to blaming a victim in cases of assault. I humbly request you the professor refrain from making such hurtful statements.”
#ராகுல்காந்தி தன்னிடம் தவறாக நடந்துக்கொண்டதாக குற்றம்சாட்டிய பெண் எம்.பி-யை நேரலையில் கொச்சைப்படுத்திய தி.மு.க!
பழங்குடியின பெண் பாராளுமன்றத்தில் கண்ணீருடன் பாதுகாப்பு கோரியதை நாடகம் என மாண்பின்றி பேசும் தி.மு.க!#News18Tamilnadu விவாதம்… pic.twitter.com/3RqaorAd0u
— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) December 20, 2024
National Commission for Women Calls For Action on Rahul Gandhi
The National Commission for Women (NCW) announced on 20 December 2024, that it has urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to take action against Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi following a complaint by BJP MP Phangnon Konyak. The MP alleged that Gandhi “misbehaved” with her during a protest on the Parliament premises.
In a statement, the NCW said it had taken suo motu cognizance of the incident, which reportedly occurred on 19 December, and emphasized the need for swift action to address the matter and uphold the dignity of women parliamentarians.
Konyak, a tribal BJP MP from Nagaland, claimed that Gandhi came into her “close proximity” and shouted at her during a protest near the Makar Dwar gate, leaving her feeling “extremely uncomfortable.” She conveyed her grievances in a letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, stating, “My dignity and self-esteem have been deeply hurt by LoP Shri Rahul Gandhi ji.” Dhankhar assured her that the matter would be looked into.
In response to the allegations, the Congress dismissed the charges, with Rahul Gandhi asserting that it was actually the ruling party MPs who “stopped, threatened, and intimidated” him during the protest.
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar expressed deep concern over the incident, highlighting that Parliament must serve as a model of respect and equality. The Commission described the incident as a “direct affront” to the dignity and rights of women parliamentarians and called for immediate and decisive measures to ensure such behavior does not go unchecked.
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