Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has alleged that Congress MP Shashi Tharoor indirectly acknowledged that the Congress party is “anti-women” in the context of the stalled Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill in Parliament. Rijiju referred to a post by Tharoor on X following a recent special Parliament session. He said Tharoor had remarked that while the Congress party could be perceived as anti-women, no one would describe him personally in that way. Rijiju added that he agreed with Tharoor on the personal distinction but maintained that the Congress party itself holds an anti-women stance, claiming that Tharoor had "in a way” accepted this view.

Rijiju further stated that during their interaction after the session, Tharoor reiterated that although the Congress may be labelled anti-women, he himself could not be called so, to which Rijiju responded that he agreed regarding Tharoor but not the party. He also asserted that Tharoor’s comments amounted to an indirect acceptance of his claim.

Backing Rijiju's remarks, BJP leader CR Kesavan criticised the Congress party, saying Tharoor’s statement exposed contradictions in its position on women’s empowerment. He accused the party of focusing on representation within its leadership while failing to deliver broader legislative reforms such as the proposed 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies. Kesavan also alleged that the Congress neglected women’s reservation during its decades in power and cited the reversal of the Shah Bano verdict as a setback for women’s rights.

Tharoor had earlier posted on X about a post-session interaction with opposition MPs and Rijiju, stating that it was pointed out he could not be personally labelled anti-women, a point Rijiju agreed with. He also emphasized the need for greater representation of women in Parliament and institutions, while cautioning against linking such reforms with delimitation, which he warned could have negative implications for democratic balance.