Disillusionment and Decay: A Closer Look at the Congress Party’s Relationship with Women in Politics

The Indian National Congress has come under intense scrutiny for allegations regarding its treatment of women within its ranks, with accusations ranging from exploitative practices in the distribution of election tickets to reports of harassment and misconduct involving female members. These claims have sparked widespread criticism, casting a shadow over the party’s commitment to women’s safety and empowerment.

Allegations of the “Casting Couch” Culture

Following the unexpected outcome of the Haryana assembly elections, which saw BJP secure 49 out of 90 seats, the Congress was left to face not only a surprising defeat but also stinging criticism from its own allies. The party, once considered a favorite to win in Haryana, was rattled by accusations that struck at the heart of its organizational ethics.

One of the most damning criticism came from journalist Ashok Wankhede, known for his long-standing support of the Congress. In a candid conversation with YouTuber Pragya Mishra, Wankhede did not hold back, alleging that Congress MP KC Venugopal, the All India Congress Committee’s General Secretary and a close associate of Rahul Gandhi, had leveraged his influence inappropriately.

According to Wankhede, Venugopal prioritized his “female friends” when it came to distributing election tickets, showing a disregard for the foundational stability and functionality of the party in Haryana.

Wankhede remarked, “Is Haryana just a playground for your debauchery? While the state unit of the party flounders, you’re more concerned about satisfying your own indulgences.”

The severity of these allegations was echoed by Radhika Khera, a former AICC spokesperson who resigned from the Congress earlier this year, citing harassment and internal conspiracy against her. Khera’s commentary highlighted a troubling pattern.

She stated, “The rot within the Congress party isn’t confined to Haryana. This casting couch culture is a shameless reality, embedded deep within our ranks, extending even to the NSUI and IYC national leadership.”

She further asserted that the party’s moral decay is now laid bare for the public to see. Khera’s resignation, she claimed, was driven by her harassment within the party and the backlash she received after her visit to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya—an action which, she alleged, invited internal punishment.

Disillusionment Among Female Leaders 

Adding to the chorus of dissent, Congress leader Sharda Rathore too voiced her disappointment during Haryana Elections.

She asserted that the “casting couch” culture has infiltrated the party’s processes for selecting candidates. Former Congress leader and PSC member from Kerala, Simi Rose Bell John, similarly expressed frustration over favoritism within the party, suggesting that only those with close connections to the leadership are given opportunities.

Bell John’s remarks were met with swift repercussions, as the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) issued a statement announcing her expulsion from the party, citing derogatory comments she allegedly made.

KPCC General Secretary M. Liju explained that the expulsion order had been issued by KPCC President K. Sudhakaran, indicating a “zero-tolerance” approach to dissenting voices within the organization.

The accumulation of these allegations has illuminated a deeply unsettling facet of the Congress party’s internal workings, painting a picture of a culture where power dynamics and favoritism are perceived to overshadow merit and ethics. While the Congress party has long prided itself on its advocacy for women’s rights, the credibility of these values is now being questioned by former insiders who allege that women are being objectified and marginalized rather than empowered. As the party grapples with these controversies, it faces an imperative to address these serious concerns, restore trust, and realign with the values it professes to uphold.

Cases of Molestation and Harassment Within the Congress Party

Repeated accusations of harassment and molestation have surfaced against the Congress party, with female members frequently expressing grievances about inappropriate behavior from their own colleagues. Rather than decisively addressing such allegations, there have been instances where accused individuals remain in the party, often continuing to hold positions of power and influence.

Incident During Haryana Assembly Elections

One such incident occurred during the Haryana Assembly elections, where, in broad daylight and on a Congress platform, a female leader faced harassment at the hands of Congress workers, allegedly supporters of senior party leader Deepender Hooda. The incident unfolded in full view of onlookers, reflecting a troubling disregard for respect and decorum. Congress MP Kumari Selja publicly condemned the incident, lending credibility to the allegations and raising serious concerns about the treatment of women within the party ranks.

Priyanka Chaturvedi’s Resignation in 2019

Another instance highlighting this issue was the resignation of Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi in 2019. Chaturvedi, a well-known face of the party, left Congress and joined Shiv Sena, citing mistreatment and lack of accountability. In a public statement, she revealed that certain party members who had “misbehaved” and “threatened” her were being excused for their actions. Chaturvedi’s departure underscored a deeper issue, as she criticized the party for prioritizing “lumpen elements” over dedicated individuals who had “given their sweat and blood” to the Congress cause.

Controversy Surrounding the ‘Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon’ Campaign

In January 2022, a scandal emerged surrounding Priyanka Gandhi’s much-publicized ‘Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon’ campaign in Uttar Pradesh. Dr. Priyanka Maurya, who became the poster girl of the campaign, accused Gandhi’s secretary of demanding a bribe in exchange for a Congress ticket. Dr. Maurya claimed that the campaign, intended to empower women, had been compromised by corruption and favoritism. Her public statements cast a shadow over a campaign meant to embody the spirit of strength and self-empowerment, revealing a troubling contradiction within the party’s messaging and its actual practices.

The Expulsion of Angkita Dutta

On April 22, 2023, the Congress party unceremoniously expelled Youth Congress President (Assam) Angkita Dutta, following her decision to file a police complaint against her alleged harassers within the party. Dutta accused Srinivas BV, the President of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), and Vardhan Yadav, Secretary in-charge of the IYC, of subjecting her to a prolonged period of harassment spanning six months.

In her complaint, she reported an incident in Chhattisgarh where Srinivas allegedly grabbed her arm, pushed and pulled her, and threatened her using crude and derogatory language. Dutta’s dismissal from the party was widely perceived as retribution for her willingness to expose harassment, underscoring a systemic problem within the party’s handling of internal misconduct allegations.

A Pattern of Disregard for Women’s Safety 

These incidents are not isolated cases but part of a larger pattern within the Congress party, where accusations of molestation and harassment against women are recurrently voiced by party members. Rather than taking decisive action against the accused, the party has often responded by either ignoring or even punishing the victims who dare to speak out. In doing so, Congress has sent a disturbing message about its priorities, raising questions about its commitment to creating a safe and respectful environment for all its members, especially women.

These cases have cast a long shadow over the Congress party’s self-proclaimed values of equality and justice, exposing a grim reality that appears to be at odds with the image it seeks to portray. For a party that champions itself as a bastion of democracy and progressivism, such allegations are a stark reminder of the need for accountability, transparency, and a fundamental respect for women’s rights within its ranks.