Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stirred controversy on Monday by carrying a bag featuring the word “Palestine,” a sliced watermelon resembling the Palestinian flag, and a dove symbolizing peace. The incident took place on her way to Parliament, prompting immediate backlash from the BJP, who accused her of engaging in appeasement politics instead of patriotism.
BJP’s Reaction to Priyanka Gandhi’s Palestine Gesture
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra criticized the Congress party, saying, “From Nehru to Priyanka Vadra, members of the Gandhi family always carry the bag of appeasement, not patriotism.” He linked this approach to Congress’s repeated election defeats, reinforcing BJP’s stance against what they perceive as anti-national symbolism.
Priyanka Gandhi’s Stand on Palestine and Hindu Rights
Priyanka Gandhi, a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, has previously condemned Israeli military actions as “barbaric” and “genocidal.” She believes that global pressure should be applied to halt the violence in Gaza. Despite the Palestine controversy, she also led a protest in Parliament demanding justice for Hindus facing atrocities in Bangladesh, claiming her attempt to speak on Vijay Diwas in the Lok Sabha was blocked by the government.
Congress’s Historical Support for Palestine
The Congress party, especially the Nehru-Gandhi family, has traditionally maintained close ties with the Palestinian cause. Late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat shared a close relationship with the family. Sonia Gandhi, in a 2023 article in The Hindu, also condemned Israel’s military retaliation against Hamas attacks, emphasizing the suffering of innocent civilians.
Political Symbolism and Public Debate
The controversy highlights the BJP’s strategic narrative of labeling Congress as favoring “appeasement politics” and contrasts it with their stance on nationalism. Priyanka Gandhi’s Palestine bag and her outspoken support for Palestinian rights reflect Congress’s legacy of solidarity with international humanitarian causes.