Priyanka Gandhi's 'Palestine' bag stirs BJP-Congress row in Parliament amid Gaza crisis

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress General Secretary, sparked controversy in Parliament today when she arrived carrying a handbag with the word "Palestine" prominently displayed. The bag also featured a watermelon, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. Gandhi has been a vocal critic of Israeli military actions in Gaza, which she has described as "genocidal" and a violation of international law. She has repeatedly condemned the Israeli government's operations, calling for global intervention to stop the violence and protect civilians, particularly children, in Gaza.

The BJP swiftly responded to Gandhi's gesture, accusing her of "communal virtue signaling." BJP leaders, including Anurag Thakur and Amit Malviya, criticized the Congress leader for making a political statement with her choice of handbag. Thakur questioned why Gandhi had not addressed other issues of national concern, such as the reported atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. Malviya went further, calling her actions "crass communal posturing" and suggesting that her symbolic gesture was aimed at drawing attention amid Congress's political challenges. BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana similarly dismissed the gesture, claiming that it was an effort to remain in the media spotlight.

In response, Priyanka Gandhi defended her actions, urging her critics to address the human rights issues affecting Hindus in Bangladesh and to engage with the Bangladesh government. She emphasized that her support for Palestinians stemmed from her concern for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where thousands of civilians have been killed since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023. Gandhi's comments reflect her ongoing criticism of Israel's military operations, which she and other members of Congress have denounced as disproportionate and in violation of international law.

Priyanka Gandhi has also reiterated her position on the Israel-Palestine conflict on multiple occasions. In July 2024, she called the Israeli military offensive a "violation of international law" and urged global governments to push for an immediate ceasefire. Her remarks are consistent with India’s traditional stance on the issue, which advocates for a two-state solution, supporting the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. Gandhi’s vocal support for Palestine has been in line with the Indian government's broader diplomatic position, which has emphasized the need for peaceful resolution and respect for international norms.

India has been consistent in its support for Palestine, providing humanitarian aid and diplomatic backing. India has delivered approximately 70 metric tonnes of relief materials to Palestine and contributed $5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees. India's external affairs minister, S. Jaishankar, reaffirmed India's commitment to a "sovereign, independent, and viable Palestinian state" during a recent session of Parliament. At the same time, India has condemned the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which led to over 1,000 Israeli deaths, and emphasized the need for restraint and protection of civilian lives in Gaza.

Priyanka Gandhi's statements and actions, including her display of the "Palestine" bag, have added to the ongoing political debate in India regarding the country's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. While her support for Palestinians has been clear, it has also drawn criticism from the BJP, which argues that the focus on international issues like Palestine detracts from domestic concerns.