Bhopal:
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi met with representatives of women's groups in Bhopal today to seek their input for his party's manifesto for the approaching national elections.
Here are the highlights: - I think there is a lot of talent here. I have come here to listen to you speak
- When I was young, the boss of our household was my grandmother. So I firmly believe women and men are equal and there should be equality
- Women don't need anyone's protection; they need to be given their right and a place
- Saw someone in Amethi beating up a woman... I stopped him asked him why? He said she hadn't cooked for him. That man had no concept of equality
- All you must have felt that you're being pulled back at some point of time. We must remove that feeling in India
- Violence can be physical and mental. Violence comes from an attitude that women are inferior. Yes, we have to fight violence but we must also change attitudes
- I have learnt a lot from my grandmother and mother, but I have also learnt a lot from women in my constituency Amethi. One thing I have learnt is if you empower women, they can do anything.
- Every woman is an asset for India. we need to creat opportunities for them
- We will put reasonable suggestions, policy suggestions in the manifesto. And the next government will work towards implementing the manifesto
- Can look into it if that's possible (on not raising LPG prices )
- The Congress government over the past 5-10 years have put major emphasis on SAGs - financial inclusion transforms and we would very happily look at deepening the SAG movement
- Big battle we have to fight and win is the reservation bill in Parliament. We're not going to let go of it