Pune: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said he has faced abuse for years for questioning the government on issues it dislikes, but asserted that he would not be “straightened up”.
Gandhi made the remarks while interacting with Bhojpuri singer Neha Rathore, known for her satirical songs criticising the government, during his party’s youth outreach programme ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ in Pune.
Rathore said she had come to speak about the “disrespect” faced by women and asked what respect women would receive if they cannot question those in power.
“I question the government on all those issues which the government dislikes. In return, I have to receive a lot of abuses and FIRs. What kind of respect is there towards women? If we cannot question our prime minister in a democracy, what kind of respect would that be?” she asked.
Recalling an incident after her marriage when she had sung a satirical song in Uttar Pradesh, Rathore said police teams were sent after her and people in the region questioned her family about what kind of woman she was.
“As a woman, if you want to speak about some issues in society, it is very difficult. Men’s trolling does take place, but women’s trolling takes place in a very different way. They just assassinate her character,” she said.
Rathore said she was “a little daring and stubborn” and did not get scared by the criticism.
“They tell me that they have been abusing me for the last five years, but still I have not straightened up. I want to tell them that I am not going to get straightened up,” she said.
Responding to her remarks, Gandhi said he too had been receiving abuses for years but would not be deterred.
Gandhi said he has faced abuse for years for questioning the government on issues it dislikes, but asserted that he would not be “straightened up”.
“I have also been receiving abuses for years, but I am also not getting straightened up,” Gandhi said, echoing Rathore’s words, “Main bhi nahi sudhar raha hoon”.
According to the organisers, nearly 15,000 women attended the event, which had the vibe of a rock concert. The organisers had invited singers and a rapper to ensure that the programme resonated with the Gen Z crowd.
As the Congress leader walked onto the stage at the AISSMS College Ground, the boisterous crowd gave him a rousing welcome, waving their phones with the torchlights on.
At the end, Gandhi was asked how he found Pune. He said, “Pune is prem (love)”.
