Union Minister Annpurna Devi Condemns Opposition Stance on Women's Reservation Bill
Union Minister Annpurna Devi launched a scathing attack on opposition parties on Sunday over their position regarding the Nari Shakti Vandan Amendment Bill, declaring that April 17 would be remembered as a "black day" for those who opposed women's empowerment. Addressing the media at the BJP office in Lucknow, she emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, substantial progress has been achieved since 2014 in advancing the economic and social empowerment of women, with the government now implementing concrete measures to ensure their political empowerment as well.
Meaningful Debate Versus Opposition Obstruction
Annpurna Devi acknowledged that the parliamentary debate on the Women's Reservation Bill was meaningful, but she accused opposition parties—specifically the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), Trinamool Congress (TMC), and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)—of undermining women's aspirations by opposing the legislation. "They attempted to delay, derail, and block the bill," she asserted, warning that women across India would respond democratically to those who oppose their rights.
Targeting Rahul Gandhi and OBC Rights
In a direct criticism of Rahul Gandhi, the minister alleged that despite being in power for decades, the Congress party failed to secure rights for Other Backward Classes (OBCs). She credited the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government with granting constitutional status to the OBC Commission, highlighting this as a significant achievement in social justice.
Accusations of Appeasement and Dynastic Politics
Annpurna Devi also targeted the Samajwadi Party, accusing it of practising appeasement politics and stating that the Constitution does not permit reservation based on religion. Criticising leaders such as Akhilesh Yadav, she contended that both he and Rahul Gandhi represent dynastic politics and are disconnected from the public interest. "Their actions reveal a lack of commitment to genuine empowerment," she added, reinforcing her argument that the opposition's stance is detrimental to national progress.
Her remarks underscore the ongoing political tensions surrounding women's reservation and broader issues of social justice, with the government positioning itself as a champion of empowerment against what it portrays as obstructionist opposition forces.
