By Sushil Kutty
“Like Grandfather Nehru…” remarked a Pakistani politician who served as a minister during the Imran Khan administration. Fawad Hussain, clearly admiring Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, noted her Palestine Tote bag and distinctive black & white check sari—a bold, albeit controversial, political statement that may well spark a fashion trend, particularly in her parliamentary constituency of Wayanad, where the phrase “All eyes On Rafa” has gained traction following the movements of Hamas terrorists and the response of the Israel Defence Forces.
Who says India and Pakistan are two separate nations? They are not, especially given the recent comments from Fawad Hussain and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who have found common ground. Both have shown a level of secularism reminiscent of that seen in France and among Palestinians. Hamas, on the other hand, would have been much less appealing had they not crossed borders to execute the ‘October 7’ attacks—kidnapping over 200 hostages, including young women. One woman rescued by the Israeli Defence Forces turned out to be a “Yazidi slave” purchased by a Palestinian family from ISIS.
Life in Palestine is indeed filled with unexpected elements. From intricate tunnels extending deep into Israel to underground bunkers and weapon caches hidden beneath operating rooms in Gaza hospitals, which keep a track of casualties due to Israeli bombings. Should we blame Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for not being aware of these complexities? There was ample chaos in India occupying her attention.
Notably, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed her solidarity with the Palestinian people, particularly the children in Gaza, who have suffered immensely due to Israeli attacks. Meeting with Palestine’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi, she made headlines soon after by donning a Palestinian keffiyeh! For those who missed it, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra certainly made a striking impression.
With elegance and intent, when pressed by a stray reporter, she quipped, “Now, do I need to be told what to wear, too?” Her message with the Palestine tote bag reverberated through and beyond Parliament, reaching ears across the Wagah border. Fawad Chaudhary criticized his fellow Pakistani lawmakers for lacking the courage to show solidarity with the “oppressed people of Palestine,” similar to Priyanka’s display.
Priyanka Gandhi is arguably more popular in Pakistan today than Bushra Imran Khan. She intentionally noted Hamas’s absence in her remarks about the plight of Palestinians. This raises questions among analysts as to why she bypassed discussing Hamas while advocating for Palestinians.
The key takeaway is that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra concentrated her attention on Palestinians. She turned her ire towards the Modi government’s inaction regarding the situation of Hindus in Bangladesh, rather than addressing Indian policy on Palestine. Furthermore, she spotlighted the devastating impact of Israel’s actions on Gaza’s innocent lives. Fawad Hussain resonated with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s perspective, unlike Modi’s ministers, who seemed engrossed only in her Palestine-embellished tote bag.
BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra sat stoically, dismissing Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and labeled her now-iconic Palestine bag as a ‘Bag of Appeasement!’ He refrained from calling it a ‘Bag of Muslim Appeasement’, likely aware of the implications. The Modi-led NDA government has always navigated carefully around the delicate issue of Palestine and Israel, striving to maintain a balancing act. Yet it’s consistently aligned with Modi’s perspectives.
On the contrast, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stands firmly in support of Palestine, which prompts the question: have any members of the Nehru-Gandhi family ever visited Palestine? Shouldn’t Priyanka Vadra consider making a trip there? After all, she is already known at the Palestinian embassy in New Delhi, and such a historic visit would be a remarkable achievement.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s black tote bag, adorned with the phrase “From the River to the Sea” along with the image of the Jordan River and the Sea, evokes strong reactions among Palestinians, who raise their fists in unity, while Israelis respond with frustration. Thankfully, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra seems unaware of the ramifications of that slogan, which symbolizes a contentious fate for Israel. Her stance on supporting the Palestinian cause is unmistakable.
This ‘Palestine Bag’ carried by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra deserves to be preserved and protected, ideally stored in a secure location within Parliament, much like the artifacts left by freedom fighters such as Bhagat Singh. Fawad Hussain acknowledged Priyanka for her courage in standing against Israel, saying, “What more could we expect from the granddaughter of a phenomenal freedom fighter like Jawaharlal Nehru? Priyanka Gandhi has exhibited tremendous courage compared to other MPs in Pakistan.”
Fawad Chaudhary not only recognized the word ‘Palestine’ on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s tote bag but also identified it as a significant symbol representing the Palestinian cause. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi even swore an oath with “Jai Palestine,” and beyond Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s commitment to Palestine, her visibility has drawn attention to the “atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh.” Right? (IPA Service)
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