Congress launches 'Priyadarshini Udaan Yojana' to promote menstrual hygiene among women, BJP and JD(U) call move ‘insensitive and political’
Patna: With Bihar heading into Assembly elections in just a few months, a new initiative by the state Congress unit has triggered a heated political controversy. The party's decision to distribute sanitary pads with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s photograph on the packaging has sparked sharp criticism from opposition parties.
The pads are being distributed under the ‘Priyadarshini Udaan Yojana’, a menstrual hygiene awareness program announced by Bihar Congress at a press conference held at Sadakat Ashram in Patna on Friday. According to Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee President Rajesh Kumar, the party intends to reach over 5 lakh women with this scheme, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
The initiative also promotes the Congress’ electoral promise of monthly financial assistance of ₹2,500 to needy women under a scheme titled ‘Mai Behan Maan Yojana’. The Congress claims the idea draws inspiration from the Bollywood film Pad Man, starring Akshay Kumar, which spotlighted the issue of menstrual hygiene in India.
Controversy Erupts Over Rahul Gandhi's Image
While the Congress insists the scheme is a step toward empowering women and breaking menstrual taboos, the inclusion of Rahul Gandhi's image on the sanitary pad packets has drawn fire from the BJP and JD(U).
“Printing Rahul Gandhi’s picture on sanitary pads is an insult to the women of Bihar. Congress is an anti-women party. The women of Bihar will teach them a lesson,” said BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, expressing his outrage on X (formerly Twitter).
Union Minister and LJP leader Chirag Paswan echoed similar sentiments:
“Distributing sanitary pads is a noble initiative. But politicising it by printing a politician’s photo is completely inappropriate.”
JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar called the initiative an election gimmick, accusing Congress of “mental bankruptcy” and lacking sensitivity toward women’s dignity.
Congress Defends Move
In response, the Congress women's wing came out strongly in support of the scheme.
“The challenge in the modern era is not why Rahul Gandhi’s picture was printed on sanitary pads. The real issue is that women in Bihar are still forced to use cloth during menstruation, risking severe health issues,” said Alka Lamba, national president of the Mahila Congress.
She accused the BJP of trying to derail the conversation on women’s health by politicising the issue.
Social Media Reactions Mixed
The initiative has drawn mixed reactions on social media. While many lauded the Congress for bringing menstrual hygiene to the fore of political debate, others criticised the use of election branding on personal hygiene products as a step too far.
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