The Congress spokesperson, Supriya Shrinate, a familiar face on TV, recently found herself in a corner. A vulgar social media post about the BJP’s Mandi candidate, Kangana Ranaut, appeared on Shrinate’s account. As a former journalist and experienced public figure, it is difficult to believe that Shrinate herself would publish such an offensive post. As she subsequently clarified, it is likely the post was created by a trigger-happy member of her social media team attempting to create instant virality. In the same week as the Shrinate-Ranaut fracas, BJP’s Bengal leader Dilip Ghosh publicly cast aspersions on the parentage of Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Both controversies once again revealed the deep misogyny that lies under the surface of India’s public life.
There’s a curious dichotomy: on the one hand, we reflexively taunt, mock, caricature, and demonise visible women, yet on the other, we laud the achievements of women pilots, scientists, and sports stars. Political parties are all actively seeking women’s votes, yet hardly any big party is willing to share real power with women. The ruling BJP touts ‘Nari Shakti’ as one of its main messages but disdainfully ignores a series of serious complaints of sexual harassment made by women Olympic medal winners about the party’s star MP, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
