Bansuri Swaraj, a Delhi BJP MP, issued a public challenge to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the "Chhatron Ki Goonj" event in Pune last month. She demanded that Gandhi sing the full Vande Mataram if he truly intends to smash patriarchy.
Rahul Gandhi had earlier urged women to break free from patriarchal boxes, citing the Manusmriti text. He said women are daughters, wives, and mothers but must be independent, and called on them to be loud, proud, and fight for their space in society.
The Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan reacted on Instagram, expressing surprise and curiosity, saying "Huh? Is this real. Wow." He added that he is comfortable singing Vande Mataram and Shiv Tandav, while challenging Gandhi to follow through on his promise.
The full version of Vande Mataram, recently granted legal protection as the national anthem, marks 150 years since its composition. Its historic role in India’s freedom movement gives the challenge added resonance.
The debate has ignited a broader conversation on patriarchy in Indian politics, with social media users weighing in and political rivals referencing other MPs. The comment thread also saw playful nods to Hrithik Roshan’s superhero film Krrish.
Rahul Gandhi is expected to address the challenge at the next Congress session, while the BJP continues to rally supporters around the anthem and its symbolic power.