The patriarchy of the BJP-RSS is deeply entrenched. For the Sangh Parivar, free, independent women are Public Enemy No. 1. In fact, the BJP-RSS has a woman problem. They are okay with women as symbols, but deeply uncomfortable with women as autonomous citizens; they are full of barely concealed loathing for women they cannot define, discipline or contain.
The Narendra Modi government’s posters, slogans and endless “beti” this, “didi” that and “behan” this, conceal a cloying paternalism designed to keep women exactly where the BJP wants them. Preferably marked by sindoor and mangalsutras (the “acceptable” dress code), culturally compliant, and perpetually grateful for any visibility at all.
