Guwahati, Aug. 23 -- Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday, August 22, criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his reaction to girls using abusive language during a protest, calling it a reflection of a "patriarchal mindset." Addressing a gathering of thousands of women and girl students at the "Chhatron Ki Goonj" programme at AISSMS College Ground in Pune, Maharashtra, Gandhi said Modi was "culturally shocked" when girls used cuss words during a protest, while similar language used by boys did not appear to draw the same reaction.

Gandhi argued that such responses reflected a broader patriarchal attitude, under which women and girls are often expected to follow different standards of behaviour from men. ...