In a fiery exchange within the political arena, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, without naming the Congress party, launched a stinging critique after the BJP faced allegations of delaying the presentation of the pivotal women’s reservation bill in Parliament. The bill, reintroduced by the Union Law Minister, has sparked a heated debate, with the Congress accusing the BJP of foot-dragging for political gains ahead of the upcoming elections.
Shah lauded the unwavering dedication of the Modi government and, in a veiled reference to friendly parties, insinuated that it was these allies who obstructed the bill’s passage. It’s noteworthy that this legislation had previously sailed through the Rajya Sabha in 2010 but foundered in the Lok Sabha due to opposition from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Samajwadi Party (SP), both of which were then allied with the Congress.
“Across India, people are celebrating the introduction of the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ in Parliament. It demonstrates the unyielding commitment of the Modi government to empower women. Unfortunately, the opposition seems incapable of acknowledging this fact,” Shah asserted on social media.
He didn’t stop there, lambasting the Congress for what he perceived as tokenism in their approach to this crucial issue. Shah criticized the Congress’s lack of seriousness regarding women’s reservation, highlighting instances where they allowed legislation to lapse or allowed friendly parties to block its presentation. He argued that their double standards were transparent for all to see, regardless of any efforts to claim credit.
The stage was set for this political clash when former Congress leader Sonia Gandhi declared, “It is ours… apna hai,” firmly asserting the Congress’s ownership of the bill. Several Congress leaders have echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the bill was initially tabled by the United Progressive Alliance government, led by the Congress, 13 years ago.
Former Congress member Kapil Sibal, known for his acrimonious departure from the party, echoed these sentiments and criticized the BJP’s apparent political maneuvering ahead of the 2024 elections.
Critics from various political quarters, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), questioned the bill’s provisions related to delimitation and the census, suggesting that these inclusions would delay the implementation of women’s reservation until after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. AAP MLA Atishi went further, accusing the BJP of feigning interest in women’s issues and characterizing the bill as a “Mahila Bewakoof Bana,” meaning a ploy to deceive women.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in response, assured all women of his government’s unwavering commitment to pass this bill into law. He characterized the bill’s history as one fraught with challenges and declared it a sacred mission. The bill’s future is now the subject of intense debate, with the positions of various political parties and their alliances at stake.
As this crucial bill continues to be discussed in Parliament, we remain dedicated to providing comprehensive coverage of these developments. The future of women’s empowerment in India hangs in the balance, and we’ll keep you informed of all the latest developments in this critical issue.
