The controversy erupted after the Congress general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on Monday, displayed her support for war-torn Palestine by carrying a handbag emblazoned with “Palestine” and symbols associated with Palestinian solidarity, including a watermelon, as she arrived in Parliament for the winter session.
The image was posted on social media platform X by Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed on Monday. The BJP strongly reacted to the development and called it ‘Muslim appeasement’.
Ms Gandhi Vadra, who is attending her maiden Parliament session after her recent election victory from Kerala’s Wayanad, has been vocal in condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza, expressing solidarity with Palestinians and calling for an end to the violence. Her statement called for global action to hold Israel accountable for what she characterised as war crimes.
She had earlier also slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what she said were the Israel government’s “genocidal actions” in Gaza. A watermelon, which is seen as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity, was also featured on her bag.
One of the Internet users said Priyanka Gandhi shows her solidarity with Palestine by carrying a special bag symbolizing her support. Another social media user said it was not in good taste to support an organisation like Hamas on ‘Vijay Diwas’, the day India under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi defeated Pakistani forces in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Priyanka Gandhi is granddaughter of Indira Gandhi.
Other users said that it would have been appropriate if Priyanka Gandhi had chosen an object that signified India’s triumph. Incidentally, Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, Charge d’affaires of the Palestine Embassy in New Delhi, had last week called on Priyanka to congratulate the Congress leader on her recent election victory from Kerala’s Wayanad.
Her gesture, however, drew a sharp response from BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana. “People do such things for news. When they have been rejected by the people, they resort to such actions,” he said.