Rahul Gandhi’s image on sanitary napkin kits sparks debate ahead of Bihar polls

As Bihar gears up for the upcoming assembly elections later this year, the Congress party’s latest outreach move targeting women voters has stirred both attention and controversy. The party is distributing sanitary napking kits to nearly five lakh women across the state, a welfare gesture that has now drawn criticism due to the presence of Rahul Gandhi’s photo prominently displayed on the packaging.

Also Read:BJP likely to elect new national president; women leaders from South in the spotlight

The initiative, reportedly part of the Congress campaign strategy to woo female voters, includes not just sanitary napkins but also a printed promise: if the Congress comes to power in Bihar, every woman will receive Rs 2,500 as monthly financial support. The sanitary kit distribution is being positioned as both a health awareness campaign and a political promise, specifically tailored to attract the female electorate in rural and urban areas alike.

However, what has drawn the most attention is the decision to place Rahul Gandhi’s photograph on the sanitary pad boxes, which has led to a flurry of political reactions and public discourse. Critics have accused the Congress of politicising menstrual hygiene and using sensitive health issues for electoral gains. Supporters, on the other hand, argue that the move helps normalise conversations around women’s health, especially in conservative areas where such topics remain taboo.