Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday alleged that former prime minister Indira Gandhi was being "left out" of the "misogynist" BJP government's Vijay Diwas celebrations and said it is about time Prime Minister Narendra Modi starts giving women their due.
Vijay Diwas commemorates India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. Bangladesh, then part of Pakistan, became an independent country after the war.
"Our first and only woman Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi is being left out of the misogynist BJP government's Vijay Diwas celebrations. This, on the 50th anniversary of the day that she led India to victory and liberatled Bangladesh...," Priyanka Gandhi tweeted.
"...@narendramodi ji, women don't believe your platitudes. Your patronising attitude is unacceptable. It's about time you started giving women their due," the Congress general secretary said.
Rahul Gandhi was similarly scornful in his attack.
"My grandmother took 32 bullets for the country (she was shot dead in 1984) but her name was not even mentioned at a government event," Rahul said.
Indira Gandhi was at the head of the Congress government in power during the 1971 war.
The Parliament on Thursday paid tributes to Bangladeshi freedom fighters and Indian armed forces on the 50th anniversary of Vijay Diwas.
Making a reference in the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla remembered the exemplary courage displayed by freedom fighters of Bangladesh as also the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
Their extraordinary sacrifices will continue to inspire future generations, the Speaker said.
In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said the display of dauntless courage and gallantry by our Armed Forces in 1971 is still remembered with pride and zeal across the country, which continues to inspire the people of our nation.
Naidu said India has very friendly ties with Bangladesh and ardently desires to further strengthen the existing good neighbourly relations between the two countries.
On this 50th anniversary of Vijay Diwas, we pay our glowing tributes to our brave soldiers who went beyond the call of duty to protect the pride of the nation, he said.
