Aparajita Sarangi Gifts Priyanka Gandhi a ‘1984’ Bag to Spark Debate

Aparajita Sarangi, a BJP MP and former IAS officer, is known for her impactful administrative tenure and outspoken political statements. Sarangi served as the collector in multiple districts of Odisha, including Nuapada, Koraput, and Bargarh, between 1998 and 2006. In 2006, she became the Commissioner of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, where she implemented several transformative initiatives for the city.

Recently, Aparajita Sarangi drew attention by presenting Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi with a bag bearing the inscription "1984," accompanied by a design featuring blood splatters—symbolic of the anti-Sikh riots that followed the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The riots resulted in the deaths of thousands of Sikhs, leaving an indelible scar on Indian history.

Sarangi described the bag as a reminder of the Congress party’s “misdeeds” and the tragic events of 1984. Speaking on the gesture, she remarked, “Just as Priyanka Gandhi is sending messages through her bags, I have gifted this bag to remind the Congress of its history and the mistakes of that period.”

The design of the bag, featuring "1984" painted with blood, was intended to evoke the memory of the anti-Sikh riots and the Congress party’s role during that time. While Priyanka Gandhi accepted the bag, she did not respond publicly to its implications.

The exchange comes amidst Priyanka Gandhi's recent use of symbolic bags as part of her political messaging. On December 10, she carried a bag inscribed with "Modi Adani Bhai-Bhai," a critique of the alleged nexus between the Prime Minister and the industrialist. Days later, she appeared with a bag bearing "Palestine," stirring debates in political circles. Most recently, she brought a bag with "Bangladesh," a message of solidarity with the Hindu and Christian communities of Bangladesh.

Opposition leaders have interpreted Priyanka’s bags as a tool for delivering subtle political messages. With Aparajita Sarangi's '1984' bag, the BJP has added its own narrative to this emerging trend, highlighting a dark chapter in the Congress party’s history.

As political symbolism continues to take center stage in Indian politics, these exchanges underscore the growing importance of gestures and visual narratives in shaping public discourse.