Siddharth and Bulli: Smriti Irani is back as the fierce warrior of 2014 that we fondly remember
by Abhishek Kumar Singh
PC PTI
When people talk about Smriti Irani, they tend to forget her pre-ministership credentials as a fierce warrior who countered the left's propaganda of Hinduism being a misogynist religion. Now, with her straightforward views on Siddharth and Bulli scandal, Smriti Irani has again shown glimpses of her brilliant past.
Smriti Irani slams women's online harassers
Smriti Irani, India's minister for women and child development has categorically slammed anti-women activities going around the Internet. Irani was speaking at the Indian Express e-Adda programme.
In her interview, she appealed to politicians to come forward for protecting the respect and integrity of women. Irani said, "I want to use this platform to say that this is an issue on which, irrespective of our politics, we need to come together."
Women from all corners are abused online
When the anchor asked her about the targeting of women of a specific religion (Islam) through an app, Irani categorically refused to entertain the religious angle. Apprising that investigations are going on the case, she said, "Women, irrespective of their religion, have been denied their dignity on social media platforms. I am grateful that the police are investigating this issue. I am absolutely confident that those who are guilty will be punished. My desire is also this…"
Talking to Anant Goenka, Executive Director, The Indian Express Group, and Vandita Mishra, National Opinion Editor, The Indian Express, Mrs Irani slammed actor Siddharth for harassing Badminton Star Saina Nehwal.
Read more: "Subtle cock" actor Siddharth e-molests Saina Nehwal and follows it up with "cock and bull"
Stating that women get harassed, no matter which political or religious faction they belong to, she said, "Do women get explicitly objectified only through one app? No. As I came to this conversation, I had a world champion, Ms Nehwal, who was demeaned for her political position, no less by a so-called popular actor, a man who would have known better. We need to look at this issue holistically. Are only the men who are caught the ones we need to be concerned about? Or, those who deny a woman the right to speak?… Ms Nehwal had a point of view. But she was demeaned and objectified. Should such men be brought to justice as well?"
W&CD minister gave full details of matters she's dealing with
Mrs Irani also talked about her harassment from the Vadra family. The interview was quite detailed and revealing in nature. She touched upon almost every issue concerned with the welfare of women and children. She informed that currently there are seven lakh sexual assault accused in India.
She quashed any rumours that marriages will be criminalised after the raising of the legal age for marriages. "I think that is one of the greatest rumors that is being spread… Those who seek to disenfranchise women from the right to equality are propagating this falsehood" said Irani.
Read more: Modi govt's decision to raise the minimum marriage age for women has knocked the wind out of the Islamist camp
Adding further, she said, "How is it criminal for a woman to have equal rights to enter into matrimony as that of a man? This announcement that marriages will be criminalised is a falsehood…". She also cited various NFHS data to prove her point.
Read more: The benefits of raising the legal age of marriage to 21 for women
Mrs Irani – Balanced, truthful, and logical as always
Smriti Irani was balanced and logical in her approach. She did not fall for Muslim victimisation propaganda (in case of Bulli Bai Scandal). Any insinuation of Irani not defending Muslim women was thwarted by her. Moreover, she clarified that people do not see religion before harassing women on the Internet.
What Irani said is the plain truth. Women from all sections of society are prone to cyber-bullying. More often than not, whenever people on Internet are on the logically incorrect side against women, they resort to personal attacks. The anonymity provided due to the nature of the Internet often tends to leave them unpunished.
In December 2019, Mrs Irani herself was subjected to misogynist and sexist abuse when she had wished happy birthday to Anil Baluni, a BJP spokesperson. One year back, she was subject to similar attacks from alleged Congress supporters.
Smriti Irani-Emerging woman face of BJP
Smriti Irani has always been a vocal supporter of women's rights to live with respect and dignity in the country. Due to her incessant support for women's cause in the wake of the 2012 Delhi Gang-rape, her political journey was fast-tracked. She emerged as one of the formidable women faces of BJP in the 2014 elections.
Before her fire-brand style of active participation, BJP was pushed as an anti-woman party by leftists looking to exploit women for their political mileage. Irani changed the perception around the nationalistic party. Irani later went on to handle various ministries as well.
Read more: Smriti Irani and other BJP woman MPs rip Rahul Gandhi apart for 'rape in India' remark
In 2019, she dethroned Rahul Gandhi, prince of the Congress party from Amethi constituency. She showed that it's nationalistic forces who know how to preserve the dignity of women in the true sense. It's simple, someone who is not loyal to his/her own nation, cannot protect anyone's integrity.
Tags: BJPBulli BaiSaina NehwalSmriti IraniWomen HarassmentWomen Integrity
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Abhishek Kumar Singh
Truth Seeker. Columnist at TFI Media.