Ranaut shared an image depicting Rahul Gandhi asking a woman to “smash the patriarchy”.

In the post, the woman responds: “Bro, wait. Bharat Mata ki jai shuru karte hain.”

Rahul Gandhi defends Kriti Sanon

Gandhi's “smash the patriarchy” remark came after actor Kriti Sanon faced online criticism over her outfit in a Rakshabandhan advertisement for jewellery brand GIVA.

Sanon had been targeted over an ivory lehenga paired with a deep-neck blouse and cape, with some social media users describing the outfit as inappropriate.

Kriti Sanon was featured in a Raksha Bandhan ad for jewellery brand Giva, which has now been taken down after a row over her outfit. Photo: YouTube screengrab

“When will we stop telling women what to wear,” Sanon wrote on Tuesday while responding to the criticism.

Gandhi subsequently shared her response on Instagram, writing that what a woman wears, does or where she goes is her choice.

He urged people to stop trolling women for exercising their freedom and added the hashtag #SmashThePatriarchy.

Kangana had earlier criticised Sanon’s outfit

Ranaut, who represents Mandi in Himachal Pradesh in the Lok Sabha, had criticised Sanon's appearance in the advertisement, describing the outfit as “intentionally creepy”.

The controversy subsequently intensified, with the jewellery brand GIVA withdrawing the advertisement.

The company said it never intended to hurt religious or cultural sentiments.

Bansuri Swaraj joins attack

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj also attacked Rahul Gandhi, questioning his record on issues concerning women.

Swaraj alleged that Gandhi had remained silent when derogatory remarks were directed at women, including Kangana Ranaut and actor-turned-politician Hema Malini.

She also cited remarks made by former Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury about the President and accused several Congress leaders of making controversial comments about women.

“Rahul Gandhi was silent when abusive words were used against Kangana Ranaut,” Swaraj said, while questioning why the Congress leader was now speaking about “smashing the patriarchy”.

‘Why did he oppose the Women’s Reservation Bill?’

Swaraj also questioned Gandhi over the Congress party's position on women's political representation.

“I want to ask Rahul Gandhi, why is there not a single woman leader in Karnataka and Himachal? Why did he oppose the Women's Reservation Bill?” she said.

She further questioned Gandhi's comments on women empowerment, arguing that his criticism of patriarchy was inconsistent with his alleged silence on earlier controversies.

Debate began after Pune remarks

The political exchange follows Gandhi's remarks at the “Chhatron Ki Goonj” event in Pune on August 22, where he spoke about patriarchy and urged people to challenge it.

Ranaut's latest post has now added a fresh political dimension to the debate, with BJP leaders using the controversy to question Gandhi's record on women's rights and representation.