New Delhi:

Taking a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks during his recent visit to the US, first-time BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj has said she would switch roles with him so that she wouldn’t embarrass India on an international platform.

In a wide-ranging discussion during the NDTV Yuva Conclave on Thursday, Ms Swaraj also spoke about the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, Atishi taking over as the chief minister of Delhi, and said that the Narendra Modi government is one of the most feminist dispensations ever.

To a question on which current political leader she would switch roles with, the BJP MP immediately said Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Elaborating, she said in Hindi, “Rahul Gandhi… So that when I go abroad, I don’t embarrass my country on an international platform.”

Ms Swaraj’s remarks were seen as a dig at some of Mr Gandhi’s comments during the US visit, which had also been criticised by PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, among others.

Answering a question on reservation, the Congress leader had said, “We will think of scrapping reservations when India is a fair place and India is not a fair place.” He had later clarified this remark and said it was misrepresented, adding that the Congress wanted to take reservation beyond the cap of 50%.

Mr Gandhi had also spoken about religious freedom in India.

Asking a Sikh member of the audience his name, the Congress leader had said: “The fight is about whether he, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear a turban in India; or whether, he, as a Sikh, will be allowed to wear a kada in India; or whether he, as a Sikh, is allowed to go to a gurdwara. That’s what the fight is about, and not just for him, but for all religions”.

Kolkata Rape And Murder

Ms Swaraj, who is also a lawyer and was designated a senior advocate by the Supreme Court recently, said she had represented the petitioner on whose petition the investigation into the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last month was transferred from the Kolkata Police to the CBI.

“Without politicising, one key issue is that a serious crime like rape and murder was sought to be covered up as a suicide. In the last hearing, the Supreme Court said you cannot pass legislation which restricts the working hours of women. You cannot say we cannot ensure your safety so women doctors can work only for 12 hours. Your incompetence or incompetence of a state machinery cannot be the reason to restrict the freedom of women or clip a woman’s wings, that time has passed,” the BJP MP asserted.

“I am saying this as a citizen of this country, not as a politician. It is time for all of us to come together, raise our voice and say that the responsibility for the protection of women is not on women alone, but on men as well. We need to educate our boys,” she added.

To a question on the legislation – the Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024 – introduced by the Bengal government after the gruesome crime, Ms Swaraj termed it an “eyewash”.

“(Bengal chief minister) Mamata Banerjee’s government is cornered and has question marks over it and this legislation was passed to assuage the public. There was not even a proper debate. Legislation needs to be debated, that’s the whole point,” the BJP MP said.

She also said that while laws exist, the focus has to be on awareness and implementation, as well as changing the societal mindset.

Delhi Elections

Asked whether she felt the BJP was lacking in its Delhi strategy in some way and found itself reacting to the AAP’s moves – like the shock resignation as chief minister by Arvind Kejriwal, who is being replaced by Delhi minister Atishi – Ms Swaraj said that was not the case.

“Delhi is getting a woman chief minister for the third time. I congratulate Atishi, but I was disappointed when she said Delhi has only one chief minister – Arvind Kejriwal. She turned the clock back on women’s empowerment 100 years with that statement. Will Mr Kejriwal continue to enjoy the fruits of power without any responsibility,” the BJP MP asked.

‘Feminist Government’

Answering a question from a young woman in the audience on feminism and why there wasn’t enough of a discussion on it, the BJP MP said such conversations are easier when labels are not used, because that leads to people having a more open mind.

Ms Swaraj also asserted that the Modi government is one of the most feminist ever and went on to give three examples to back her claim.

The first, she said, was that Prime Minister Modi has had two women in the Cabinet Committee on Security, which has the PM and the ministers for defence, home affairs, finance and external affairs as members. The first was Ms Swaraj’s mother, Sushma Swaraj, and then Nirmala Sitharaman.

The other examples given by Bansuri Swaraj were that PM Modi has had the highest number of women ministers in his cabinet and it was under his government’s second term that the legislation reserving 33 per cent of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies was passed.

When another audience member asked for advice on advancing in her career as a young woman, Ms Swaraj said, “It is a privilege to be a woman, embrace it. The more arduous the journey, the greater the rewards, don’t shy away from the hard work. If God has given the power of creation to anyone, it is to himself and to women. You are a force to be reckoned with, keep moving forward. Don’t pay attention to any trolls or detractors.”

New Delhi:

Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday ripped into Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal – in jail on corruption charges related to an alleged liquor policy scam – and demanded to know if a separate set of laws had to be framed for the Aam Aadmi Party leader and his colleagues.

Mr Thakur also pointed out that three of Mr Kejriwal’s colleagues, including ex-Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, are also in jail on corruption and money laundering charges.

“Ten years ago he (Arvind Kejriwal) said, ‘I swear on my children I will not join politics’. Then he joined politics. He said. ‘I will never ally with the Congress’. He has allied with the Congress. He said, ‘I will never take security (cover, as an elected representative)’. Now his party has taken security for two states. He said, ‘I will fight corruption’… and now he is in jail for corruption,” he said mockingly.

NDTV Yuva Conclave | “My Boss. PM Modi, Is The Best”, Says Anurag Thakur

“When Arvind Kejriwal’s party commits corruption… should there be a separate law for him, for AAP? His (former) Deputy Chief Minister Minister has been in jail for nearly 18 months (referring to Manish Sisodia, who was arrested in February last year)… but Kejriwal gives ‘clean chit’?”

“Should we listen to him or the probe agencies,” Mr Thakur asked.

The Union Minister also dusted off the BJP’s “kattar beimaan“, or “staunchly corrupt”, jab at Mr Kejriwal and the AAP. In October last year too the saffron party had launched the jibe at its rival.

READ | Regular Arrests Have Torn AAP’s Claim Of “Kattar” Honesty: BJP

Speaking at NDTV’s ‘Youth For Change’ conclave, Mr Thakur also slammed the Congress after it hit out at the government over a Rs 100 crore demand from the Income Tax Department.

The party, which has joined the AAP in attacking the BJP over Mr Kejriwal’s arrest – called the demand an “attack on democracy” and said it leaves them unable to fund its election campaign.

READ | Congress Moves Supreme Court Over 100 Crore Tax Dues Case

“Does the law also not apply to the Congress? In India, political parties don’t pay income tax… but they have to file returns. Is the Congress so incompetent they can’t even do that?” he asked.

“And then you have a man (circling back to Mr Kejriwal) who says he will fight corruption… and then his party is involved in corruption. Who should we believe? The law or them?” he declared.

Mr Thakur also waved away allegations by the Congress, the AAP, and other opposition parties – that the BJP uses agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (which arrested Mr Kejriwal) and the Central Bureau of Investigation, as well as tax officials, to harass rivals, particularly before elections.

READ | Anurag Thakur Makes Strong Case For ‘One Nation, One Election’

“The authorities will act against anyone who is corrupt. I want to reassure everyone that this is the same whether they are from BJP or our allies… the corrupt will get punished,” he said, in response to a question on why lawmakers from the saffron party don’t seem to be accused of corruption.

“But if we have not been corrupt… if we don’t have corrupt leaders… then what do we do?”

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Union Minister Anurag Thakur said India’s youth stand for “positive energy, inspiration, passion, motivation”. The minister was speaking at NDTV’s – Youth For Change mega conclave today that India’s brings together the biggest youth disruptors from politics, cinema, music and comedy. The minister for Youth Affairs is the chief guest at the event.

The event will feature performances by Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra, singer Jasleen Royal and comedian Gaurav Kapoor as well as panel discussions with social media influencers Divija Bhasin and Dr Cuterus among many others.

Here are the LIVE updates on NDTV’s Yuva Conclave:

Get NDTV UpdatesTurn on notifications to receive alerts as this story develops.

NDTV Yuva Conclave: “India Is A Bright Spot”: Anurag Thakur On Economy
“Earlier we used to hear about dipping economy. Today India is bright spot,” he said.

NDTV Yuva Conclave: “Can’t Ask These Questions In Pak”: Anurag Thakur On Unemployement Report

“The questions show you can ask anything to the minister on National TV. You may not be able to do in Pak or Saudi Arabia. We still have a slavery mentality because we always depended on foreign ratings. We need to come out of it and trust organisations in our country,” he said.

NDTV Yuva Conclave: “Vote For The Country”: Anurag Thakur’s Advice To First-Time Voters

“Cast your first vote for the country and pledge to make India developed. People’s contribution can turn into people’s movement. Jis aur jawaani chalti, us aur zamana chalta hai,” he said.

NDTV Yuva Conclave: Anurag Thakur On PM Modi’s Commitment To Women Empowerment

“PM Modi also spoke to Sandeshkhali victims. Be it sportswomen or those who fight against rapists, PM keeps encouraging them. We as a party have kept 25% reservation for women, 50% in panchayat raj institutions,” he said.

NDTV Yuva Conclave: “Rahul Gandhi Against Shakti, PM In Favour Of Nari Shakti”: Anurag Thakur

“Rahul Gandhi says will fight against Shakti. On the other side is PM, whose policies are in favour of Nari Shakti. Our president struggled her way from being a councillor to the post of president. He gave 4 crore pakka houses, 13 crore tap water, 12 toilets, 60 crore people given Ayushmaan cards, 34 crore mudra yojna loans. Today, India’s women are at the front. India has 12.5% of the total women pilots across the world,” he said.

NDTV Yuva Conclave: “Money, Energy Can Be Saved”: Anurag Thakur On One Nation, One Election

“Before 1962, we used to have simultaneous elections. So much of money and energy are spent on one elections. If some state polls are preponed or postponed, 10-15 elections can be held together. So security and other election expenditure can be saved. If we start saving this time, India won’t have to wait for 2047, but will achieve its Viksit Bharat dreams much before,” he said.

NDTV Yuva Conclave: Anurag Thakur On The Future Of Social Media, Artificial Intelligence

“With AI, IOT, Machine Learning, the future will hold a lot of challenges but also opportunities in technology. The content created on Instagram/YouTube helps to reach millions outside the country.” he said.

NDTV Yuva Conclave: “PM Modi Makes My Job Easier”: Anurag Thakur On PM’s Social Media Followers

“The content created by creators helps government like ours to reach out to masses in nook and corner. PM Modi has millions of followers. He makes my job easier.” he said.

NDTV Yuva Conclave: Anurag Thakur On Opposition’s Allegations Of Misusing Probe Agencies

“Couldn’t Congress file Income Tax return? Should we keep Congress above the law? or make a separate law for Congress?  Delhi minister (Sisodia?) is in jail for 1.5 years, still Kejriwal calls him honest. If anyone does corruption, will face probe. If BJP leader, anyone related to BJP, elected or otherwise, will be probed if they are found involved in corruption?” he said.

NDTV Yuva Conclave: “Stay Away From Him”: Anurag Thakur On Why Young Voters Should Not Vote For AAP

“The person (Kejriwal) is misleading the country. Stay away from him. He had vouched he won’t come in politics, but he did. The one who said will fight against corruption, now he is seen involved in corruption. Now, Kattar Beiman Arvind Kejriwal is in jail,” he said.

NDTV Yuva: “India Would Have Made Google Maps”: Anurag Thakur On Harnessing Youth’s Power

“A start-up ecosystem is being made in smaller cities. If the country’s yuva was not stopped for years, some yuva would have made a bigger company like Google Maps. A successful Chandrayaan mission also reflects India’s progress,” he said.

NDTV Yuva: Some People Have Habit Of Lying, Anurag Thakur Slams Opposition

“Some people have a habit of lying, but this isn’t true.  6 crore 40 lakh new registrations EPFO accounts. There are 29 crore e-shram cards. There was 93% informal sector here, it is now turning organised. We have given out 34 crore mudra loans without any collateral. If you look at data, in 2013, during Congress reign, inflation rate was 13%. Today it is less than 5%. The average in the last 10 years will be around 5.5%. Despite Covid, Modi government kept inflation under control,” Anurag Thakur on why Opposition targets Centre over jobs for youth.

In Pics: Union Minister Anurag Thakur At NDTV’s Mega Youth Conclave

“Yuva Means Positive Energy, Passion And Commitment”: Anurag Thakur At NDTV Yuva
“Yuva means positive energy, an inspiration, passion, motivation, innovation, empowerment, development, commitment, growth. The youth in our country are so committed that in 10 years the country has become the third biggest startup (hub),” Anurag Thakur on NDTV Yuva Conclave.

NDTV Yuva Conclave: Anurag Thakur On PM Modi’s Commitment To His Work
“If you have a boss who hasn’t taken a single holiday in 23 years, even when his mother passed away, that is the type of commitment the PM has,” Anurag Thakur on NDTV Yuva.

“My Boss. PM Modi, Is The Best”: Anurag Thakur At NDTV Yuva Conclave

“My boss, PM Modi, is the best. He is the strictest at work, but kindest for the citizens of India.”