Parliamentary Clash: Smriti Irani and Rahul Gandhi Spar Over 'Flying Kiss' Controversy

New Delhi: Union Minister Smriti Irani has accused Congress MP Rahul Gandhi of displaying disrespectful behavior towards women MPs in Parliament. Irani claimed that Gandhi blew a flying kiss while leaving the Parliament after his speech on the No-Confidence Motion. She labeled this action as lacking dignity and stated that it is only a misogynistic attitude that could lead to such behavior.

Irani further emphasized that BJP women MPs have raised concerns and lodged complaints with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, asserting that Gandhi's alleged "indecent gesture" has insulted women. This incident has sparked a debate on the decorum and respect within the parliamentary setting.

During a press interaction, Smriti Irani pointed out that this kind of behavior has never been witnessed in the history of Parliament. She questioned whether such "misogynistic behavior" should be overlooked, particularly in a space where laws are established to protect the dignity of women.

Rahul Gandhi's party sources, however, contended that his gesture was not directed towards any specific member of the Parliament.

Rahul Gandhi, on the second day of the No-Confidence Debate in Lok Sabha, launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Central government. He criticized the government's handling of the situation in Manipur and accused them of undermining the integrity of the nation.

Responding to Gandhi's remarks, Smriti Irani vehemently refuted the accusation and criticized the Congress leader for his statement. She stated that it was unprecedented for someone to refer to the "murder of India" and criticized Congress leaders for applauding such a statement.

The No-Confidence Motion was initiated by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, who asserted that the Opposition was compelled to bring forth the vote due to the government's perceived lack of attention to the issues in Manipur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to respond to the debate on Thursday.

The ongoing session, which commenced on July 20, has been marred by frequent disruptions from the Opposition. The Opposition's stance revolves around the urgency of addressing the situation in Manipur, where ethnic violence has led to significant casualties and displacements. They argue that this pressing matter deserves the Prime Minister's immediate attention.