Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Rahul Gandhi criticised for 'misogynistic' comments during Modi rant

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has come under fire for "misogynistic" remarks when he asked prime minister Narendra Modi to "be a man" and not field a woman, the defence minister, to defend him in debates over a controversial fighter jet deal.

Gandhi, president of the Congress party, on Wednesday mocked Modi for staying away from parliament as it discussed accusations of corruption against the government in a deal to buy 36 Rafale planes from France's Dassault Aviation and a decision to pick Reliance Defence as a domestic partner.


The government and the companies deny the charges, but the latest controversy has intensified rivalry between Congress and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of a general election due to be held by May.

Gandhi, the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that has ruled India for decades, often calls Modi a "thief" while the prime minister addresses him as "privileged dynast" in most of his public speeches.

"He runs away from the people's court and asks a woman, Nirmala Sitharaman ji, 'defend me, I won't be able to defend myself'", Gandhi said at a public rally, referring to Modi and using a honorific for Sitharaman.

Gandhi's comments drew widespread criticism on social media. Some people said Sitharaman - the second woman to run the defence ministry after the late Indira Gandhi, a former prime minister and Rahul Gandhi's grandmother - deserved an apology.

Sitharaman has not commented but her cabinet colleague, Sushma Swaraj, also a woman, said Gandhi's comments hit a "new low in the history of Indian politics".

#BeAMan was one of the most trending hashtags on Twitter and some women posted their pictures holding placards that said: Mr. Rahul Gandhi, real men don't insult women".

Congress rejected the accusations of misogyny, saying Gandhi was a "progressive, inclusive and liberal leader" and that the party believed in gender equality. It added the reference to "woman" by Gandhi was an "innocent figure of speech".

But the National Commission for Women, a statutory body that fights for women's rights, condemned Gandhi's comments.

"The remarks made are extremely misogynistic, offensive, unethical and show an extreme disrespect towards the dignity and honour of women in general," the commission said in a notice.

"The commission strongly condemns such irresponsible and disparaging views of persons holding responsible positions."

The controversy came a day after Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya apologised for comments made during a high-profile talk show aired on Sunday, when he bragged about "hitting" on women and telling his parents about them.

"Honestly, I got a bit carried away with the nature of the show," Pandya, currently with the Indian team playing in Australia, said on Twitter. "In no way did I mean to disrespect or hurt anyone's sentiments. Respect."

More For You

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case
Bhim Kohli

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case

THE seven-year prison sentence handed to a 15-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli is to be reviewed under the UK’s Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on Friday (5) that the teenager’s sentence will now be considered by the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a prayer meet held for his long life at the Dalai Lama temple in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

THE Dalai Lama said on Saturday (5) he hopes to live until he is more than 130 years old, two decades longer than his previous prediction, following his assurance to followers that he would reincarnate as the spiritual head of the faith upon his death.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday (6), and as China insists it will choose his successor. The Dalai Lama told Reuters in December he might live to 110.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave by mid-July

Daytime temperatures meeting or exceeding set thresholds of 25°C

iStock

Met Office warns of potential third UK heatwave by mid-July

Key points

  • Met Office forecasts rising temperatures by mid-July
  • Possible third heatwave after record-breaking June
  • High pressure system likely to bring hot air from the Atlantic
  • Yellow rain warning and flood alerts issued in parts of Scotland and Cumbria

Possible heatwave to return by mid-July

The UK could experience its third heatwave in a month by mid-July, the Met Office has said. Forecasters expect rising heat and humidity during the second weekend of July, following two weekends of unusually warm weather in late June.

June was officially the hottest on record in England, and the return of high temperatures could mean another heatwave for parts of the country. However, the Met Office cautioned that it is too early to confirm how hot conditions will get.

Keep ReadingShow less
crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less