Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday took a swipe at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his recent message on women’s freedom and empowerment, linking the Congress leader’s remarks to the long-pending debate over the Women’s Reservation Bill.

Rahul Gandhi, in a video posted on Instagram on Friday, spoke about the need to bring women “back into the conversation” and allow them to pursue what they want.

Responding to the video, Kiren Rijiju described the message as positive but suggested that it reflected a “change of heart” within the Congress.

Kiren Rijiju links Rahul Gandhi’s message to women’s quota

“Now, I hope Congress Party will support the Women’s Reservation Bill unconditionally,” Rijiju posted on X while reacting to Gandhi’s video.

Rijiju said Gandhi’s remarks appeared to represent a change in the Congress leader’s position on women.

“This seems to be a positive message from the Congress Party. There’s a visible change of heart in Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji about the Women,” the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said in his post.

He then used the opportunity to raise the issue of the Women’s Reservation Bill and urged the Congress to support it without conditions.

Congress, Centre differ over delimitation and women’s quota

The exchange comes against the backdrop of differences between the Congress and the Centre over the proposed delimitation exercise and its connection with the implementation of women’s reservation.

Congress and other opposition parties have been opposing the government’s proposed delimitation legislation and have called for the 33 per cent reservation for women to be implemented based on the current strength of Parliament.

The government has been seeking to increase the number of seats in Parliament and state Assemblies as part of the process for implementing the women’s quota. The 33 per cent reservation for women had earlier been passed unanimously by Parliament.

What Rahul Gandhi said about women’s freedom

Rahul Gandhi’s Friday Instagram video followed his response during a Thursday “Ask Me Anything” session, in which he was asked about young women fighting for their right to study.

Gandhi had said that “India’s women are our strength, our biggest asset” and expressed dissatisfaction with the way women are treated in the country, including in education and corporate systems.

In his subsequent video, Gandhi said the energy of Indian women was being restricted and that they were not always allowed to express themselves or imagine freely.

He argued that India could not fully succeed without women being able to express themselves.

Gandhi said women’s empowerment should not be limited to succeeding in business or politics. According to him, women should also be able to express their views at home and move freely on the streets.

He further spoke about women being able to question their parents, husbands, brothers and others, arguing that greater freedom from patriarchy and rigid control was necessary for India’s development.

The remarks subsequently drew Rijiju’s response, with the minister connecting Gandhi’s message on women’s empowerment to the political debate over the Women’s Reservation Bill.

The US Senate has approved a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, including India and China.

The legislation was passed by an 86-11 vote and will now move to the US House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene on August 31.

The bill is named in honour of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine who died on July 11. Graham had pushed for tougher sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.

India and China among major Russian energy buyers

The legislation gives the US president the power to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas.

India and China are among those countries, along with Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia.

The bill also contains an exception for countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and taking steps to reduce their dependence on Russian supplies.

What does the Russia sanctions bill contain?

Apart from the proposed tariffs, the legislation includes sanctions targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian political and military officials, financial institutions and energy projects.

The bill would also expand US sanctions to older and reflagged oil tankers allegedly used by Moscow to bypass existing restrictions on Russian oil and energy revenues.

At the same time, the White House would have the option to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that doing so is in the national interest.

Bill also extends Iran sanctions law

The legislation also contains a provision related to Iran. It would extend the expiration date of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 until 2031.

The law penalises companies that invest in Iran’s energy sector.

The bill’s passage in the Senate marks the next step in the US legislative process, but it still needs approval from the House of Representatives before it can move forward.

The Congress on Thursday extended its support to students protesting in Ranchi against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, with Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi saying that every government should listen to students’ concerns and work towards reforming the education system.

The party, which is part of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led government in the state, also said it would continue working to ensure students receive justice.

Rahul Gandhi calls for education reforms

During an interactive ‘Ask Me Anything’ session on Instagram, Rahul Gandhi was asked to support the ongoing student protest in Jharkhand.

Responding to the request, Gandhi said the student movements taking place across the country reflect growing dissatisfaction with the education system. He described the current system as unaffordable and oppressive, adding that meaningful reforms are needed.

He further said that every government—whether at the Centre, in Jharkhand, or a Congress-led state—must listen to students and take steps to improve the education system.

Congress says it stands with students

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the party would support students irrespective of which party is in power. He said Congress leaders would raise the matter with the Jharkhand government and seek answers on the concerns raised by students.

Earlier in the day, AICC Jharkhand in-charge K. Raju and state Congress leaders met Chief Minister Hemant Soren and submitted a memorandum highlighting the students’ demands.

Raju later said the delegation appreciated the chief minister’s decision to constitute a ministerial committee to consult with the protesting students and recommend practical solutions.

He also reiterated that the Jharkhand Congress, along with the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), stands firmly with the agitating students.

Protest enters 13th day

The protest over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) recruitment examinations entered its 13th day on Thursday.

Six protesters continued their hunger strike, while students and job aspirants formed an 11-member delegation to hold discussions with the government.

The agitation began on July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi and has emerged as one of the state’s largest student-led movements in recent years.

The protesters are demanding cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination and an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities by either the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a panel of retired high court judges from outside Jharkhand.

Hemant Soren assures action

A day before the proposed talks, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said his government’s doors were open for discussions with the students.

In a post on X, Soren said the concerns raised by the students were being taken seriously and that investigative agencies were working continuously to identify those responsible for the alleged irregularities.

He said the government’s objective was not only to investigate the matter but also to provide a long-term solution to students’ concerns. Soren assured that every demand and suggestion would be carefully examined before announcing concrete measures.