Recent protests in India have reignited a contentious debate about gender, language, and political expression after young women were seen using expletives against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The controversy has spotlighted deeply ingrained social norms about women’s speech and the broader implications for democratic discourse in the country.
When Women Swear: Cultural Norms Under Scrutiny
The debate gained fresh momentum following a 35-day protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi, which called for education reforms. Videos of young women swearing at the prime minister circulated widely on social media, sparking outrage among Modi’s supporters and provoking a rare public discussion on whether women’s use of profanity is more shocking than men’s.
Prime Minister Modi himself described seeing young women swear as a “culture shock,” a phrase that drew sharp criticism from opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. Gandhi questioned why the prime minister singled out women when both genders had used foul language during the protests. His remarks exposed the double standards in Indian society, where male profanity is often tolerated or dismissed, but women’s similar behavior triggers moral panic.
Patriarchy and Policing Women’s Voices
Rahul Gandhi’s intervention framed Modi’s reaction as symptomatic of a patriarchal mindset that restricts women’s freedom of expression. Gandhi argued that society grants boys the liberty to swear but expects girls to conform to restrictive behavioral norms. This policing of women’s language reflects broader gender inequalities that persist despite India’s progress in women’s rights and political representation.
Journalist Namita Bhandare points out that women swearing is not a new phenomenon in India. In fact, in many northern Indian villages, traditional wedding rituals involve women singing songs laced with expletives, a practice that is culturally accepted. The outrage over women protesters’ language, therefore, reveals a selective application of social norms, often used to silence female dissent.
Political Hypocrisy and the Limits of Tolerance
While Modi’s government has launched numerous initiatives aimed at empowering women and combating misogyny, the prime minister and his party have faced criticism for their own use of derogatory language and sexist remarks. Modi’s past speeches have included demeaning references to women, and senior BJP leaders have been called out for misogynistic comments. This contradiction highlights the complex relationship between public rhetoric and political reality in India.
Opposition parties are not immune either. Gandhi’s Congress party has also been accused of disrespectful remarks about women, underscoring that the problem transcends party lines. The selective outrage over women’s profanity often serves political ends, distracting from substantive issues raised by female activists.
Profanity as a Symptom of Democratic Strain
Social activist Sunil Jalan, who campaigns against abusive language, stresses that the focus should be on curbing foul language regardless of the speaker’s gender. His research shows that expletives are common across India, with particularly high usage in northern states. Jalan sees the current debate as an opportunity to address a widespread social problem.
Yet, many young Indians, especially those involved in protests, view profanity as an essential tool of political expression. For them, swearing is part of the “shock-and-awe” tactic necessary to draw attention to grievances. This clash between traditional values and contemporary modes of protest reflects a generational and cultural divide.
Sociologist Shiv Vishwanathan interprets the rise of expletives in public discourse as a symptom of a deeper democratic malaise. The breakdown of respectful dialogue in parliament, courts, and media points to a decline in democratic culture itself. When language deteriorates into insults and cursing, it signals a failure of institutions to foster constructive debate.
The Future of Female Activism and Free Expression
The controversy over women swearing in protests is more than a debate about language; it is a battleground over women’s place in India’s public sphere. The backlash against female protesters reveals persistent discomfort with women who assert themselves loudly and unapologetically.
As India grapples with this issue, the challenge will be to balance respect for cultural sensitivities with the need to uphold democratic freedoms, including the right to dissent. Silencing women’s voices under the guise of protecting cultural norms risks reinforcing patriarchal structures and undermines the vibrancy of India’s democracy.
Ultimately, the conversation sparked by the CJP protests and Rahul Gandhi’s comments may open new pathways for rethinking gender, language, and power in India’s evolving political landscape.
Recommended reading
For more context, see related Peack News coverage and explainers linked below.