New Delhi: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stirred a political debate on Monday when she carried a handbag featuring the word “Palestine” along with Palestinian emblems, including a watermelon, during the Winter Session of Parliament. The watermelon, often seen as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity, amplified her message of support for the conflict-hit region.
In Gaza, authorities reported on Monday that more than 45,000 people have been killed in the enclave in the last 14 months, as humanitarians condemned new deadly airstrikes across the war-torn Strip, including on a UN school-turned-shelter.
Congress spokesperson Dr Shama Mohammed shared an image of Priyanka’s handbag on social media platform X, applauding her gesture. “Smt. @priyankagandhi Ji shows her solidarity with Palestine by carrying a special bag symbolising her support. A gesture of compassion, commitment to justice, and humanity! She is clear that nobody can violate the Geneva Convention,” Dr. Shama wrote.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been vocal about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, repeatedly criticising Israel’s military actions. Earlier in June, she slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing his government of “genocidal actions” in Gaza and calling it an act of “barbarism.”
Priyanka Gandhi’s vocal stand and symbolic gesture garnered attention globally. Last week, Charge d’affaires of the Palestine Embassy in New Delhi, Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, congratulated her for her recent electoral victory in Kerala’s Wayanad constituency.
Pakistani politician and former PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry also praised Vadra’s stance, lauding her courage on X. “What else could we expect from a granddaughter of a towering freedom fighter like Jawaharlal Nehru? Priyanka Gandhi has stood tall amidst pigmies, such shame that to date, no Pakistani member of Parliament has demonstrated such courage. #ThankYou,” he posted.
The BJP, however, criticised Priyanka for politicising the Parliament platform with her “Palestine” handbag. In response to the backlash, Priyanka dismissed the protests as “typical patriarchy.” Speaking to the media, she said, “Who is going to decide what clothes I wear now? Who is going to decide that? That’s typical patriarchy that you decide what women wear also. I don’t subscribe to that. I will wear what I want.”
Holding up the handbag, she reiterated her stance, saying, “I have said many times what my beliefs are regarding this. If you look at my Twitter handle, all my comments are over there.”
A day after the controversy, Priyanka appeared to double down on her symbolic protests. On Tuesday, she arrived at Parliament with a new handbag featuring a message of support for Bangladesh’s Hindu and Christian minorities. The bag carried the slogan: “Stand with Bangladeshi Hindus and Christians.”
In her address during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, she urged the government to raise the issue of atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh, particularly following the recent political developments after the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Inspired by Priyanka’s gesture, several Opposition MPs carried similar bags to Parliament as a sign of unity. Priyanka Gandhi, during her address, called on the government to engage diplomatically with Dhaka to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and Christians in Bangladesh.
“The government should raise the issue of atrocities on minorities, both Hindus and Christians, in Bangladesh. We should discuss this with the Bangladesh government and support those who are in pain,” she said.
