Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Leads Protest March Over Women's Reservation Bill Failure
In a significant political development, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday organized and participated in a 'Jan Aakrosh Mahila Padyatra' (Public Outrage Women's Foot March) in Lucknow. This protest action came directly in response to the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, commonly known as the Women's Reservation Bill, failing to pass in the Lok Sabha during the recent Special Session of Parliament.
Massive Women's Protest March Through Lucknow
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) orchestrated this substantial public demonstration, which was formally designated as a 'Jan Akrosh Rally' (Public Outrage Rally). The event witnessed the participation of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, BJP State President Pankaj Chaudhary, both Deputy Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, and a remarkably large contingent of women from across the state.
The foot march commenced from the Chief Minister's official residence and proceeded directly to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Throughout the route, numerous women joined the procession, with women ministers from the state government actively participating alongside the Chief Minister. Through this public demonstration, CM Adityanath raised pointed questions directed at opposition parties regarding their stance on women's representation.
Security arrangements were extensive, with a substantial police force deployed at multiple strategic points along the entire route of the protest march to ensure order and safety.
Strong Political Reactions and Accusations
Uttar Pradesh Minister Ashish Patel, speaking during the event, delivered a sharp critique of opposition parties. "The opposition has set an undeclared agenda against women, an agenda that suggests women of this country should not receive their rightful entitlements," Patel asserted.
He elaborated further, "When the Nari Shakti Vandan Act was implemented in 2023, all political parties came together to support its implementation without any controversy. However, when the time arrived to bring this legislation to the ground level through practical application, opposition parties worked deliberately to obstruct it. This reveals their true intentions. We supported the Nari Shakti Vandan Act in 2023, and in the future, regarding any amendments to this Act that can protect women's interests, we will continue to carry forward that essential work."
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak echoed these sentiments, stating, "Women are emerging from their homes in unprecedented numbers to express their profound dissatisfaction. The manner in which the opposition has blocked the Women's Reservation Bill is deeply disheartening and has generated substantial anger among women across the nation. The Samajwadi Party and Congress will undoubtedly face consequences for this obstruction in the upcoming elections."
Broader Political Commentary
Reacting to CM Adityanath's protest march, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal offered additional perspective. "For centuries, women have persistently demanded their rightful share in society and governance. Now, when the Prime Minister attempts to provide that share, the opposition is opposing even this progressive step. In our country, responsibility rests with both the ruling party and the opposition, and both should advance together in the national interest. The opposition's intentions appear fundamentally misguided in this matter."
Parliamentary Background of the Failed Legislation
The immediate catalyst for this protest occurred on April 17, when opposition parties in the Lok Sabha voted against the Constitution Amendment Bill aimed at implementing women's reservation in legislative bodies.
During the three-day Special Session held from April 16 to April 18, multiple prominent leaders engaged in extensive discussions regarding the bill. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the government's position, while opposition leaders including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, and Congress leader KC Venugopal participated actively in the parliamentary debate.
The 131st Constitution Amendment Bill ultimately failed to secure passage in the Lok Sabha as the INDIA bloc refused to vote in favor of the accompanying delimitation process, which was intrinsically linked to the reservation implementation.
The Lok Sabha had taken up the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-first Amendment) Bill, the Delimitation Bill, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill together for consideration and passing. Following debate on these three interconnected bills, a division vote was conducted specifically on the Constitution Amendment Bill. The result showed 298 members voting in favor and 230 against, leading to the bill's defeat.
With the Constitution Amendment Bill defeated, the government subsequently announced it would not pursue the two other linked bills, citing their interrelated nature and the impracticality of implementing them separately.
