Earlier, Priyanka Gandhi made headlines carrying a bag with motifs related to Palestine and Bangladesh in Parliament
\n New Delhi
\nBJP MP Aparajita Sarangi has gifted Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi a bag marked with \u201c1984\u201d following a political statement made by Gandhi in Parliament. The bag references the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, a deeply controversial and painful chapter in India\u2019s history.
\nThis move comes just days after Priyanka Gandhi made headlines by carrying a bag featuring motifs related to Palestine and Bangladesh during a session in Parliament. The Congress leader\u2019s gesture was widely interpreted as a political statement on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
\n1984 Anti-Sikh riots
\nThe \u201c1984\u201d bag gifted to Gandhi by Sarangi is a stark reference to the violent anti-Sikh riots that erupted after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. The widespread violence led to the killing of over 2,730 Sikhs, according to Union Home Ministry data. The Nanavati Commission, which investigated the riots, held Congress leaders\u2014including prominent figures like Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar, and HKL Bhagat\u2014responsible for inciting and participating in the violence.
\nPriyanka Gandhi\u2019s \u2018Palestine\u2019 bag
\nOn December 16, Priyanka Gandhi arrived in Parliament carrying a bag emblazoned with the word \u201cPalestine\u201d, alongside Palestinian symbols such as a watermelon (a long-recognised symbol of resistance in the region) and the keffiyeh pattern, a traditional Palestinian stole. Congress leaders defended the gesture, calling it a \u201cgesture of compassion, commitment to justice, and humanity,\u201d particularly in light of Israel\u2019s ongoing bombardment of Gaza, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and displacement in Palestine.
\nBJP\u2019s criticism and counter-gesture
\nHowever, the BJP was quick to criticise the Congress MP\u2019s gesture. BJP leaders, including Union Minister Anurag Thakur, accused Gandhi of ignoring the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh. \u201cShe did not speak a word on atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh but wants to make a fashion statement with the Palestine bag,\u201d Thakur said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other BJP leaders also voiced their displeasure over her stance.
\nIn response, Priyanka Gandhi was seen carrying another bag in Parliament the following day, on December 17. This bag, which read \u201cWe stand with the Hindus and Christians of Bangladesh\u201d, was seen as a counter-response to the BJP\u2019s accusations.
\nThis is not the first time Priyanka Gandhi\u2019s choice of bags has drawn political attention. Just a week before the \u2018Palestine\u2019 bag, Gandhi was spotted with a bag featuring a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani, along with the slogan \u201cModi Adani Bhai Bhai\u201d. The bag sparked further controversy, with critics alleging that it symbolized the alleged close ties between Modi and Adani.
\nPolitical statements through fashion
\nPriyanka Gandhi\u2019s use of bags to convey political messages has garnered significant attention, both supporting her political ideology and drawing sharp criticisms. Her choices highlight the increasing trend of politicians using fashion and symbolism to make pointed political statements in public forums.
\nThe ongoing exchange between the Congress and BJP is likely to continue as the political debate over these gestures and their implications on domestic and international issues evolves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Earlier, Priyanka Gandhi made headlines carrying a bag with motifs related to Palestine and Bangladesh in Parliament New Delhi BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi has gifted Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi a bag marked with \u201c1984\u201d following a political statement made by Gandhi in Parliament. The bag references the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, a deeply controversial and painful […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":450756,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-450735","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n