Oppn anti-women, says Yogi; likens their actions to Draupadui’s ‘cheerharan’

Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday attacked the opposition parties for the defeat of the Constitution amendment bill to implement women's quota in legislatures and likened their actions in the Lok Sabha to the "cheerharan" (disrobing) of Draupadi in the epic Mahabharat.Addressing a press conference in Lucknow along with Union minister for women and child development Annapurna Devi, UP BJP chief Pankaj Chaudhary, and ministers OP Rajbhar, Sanjay Nishad and Anil Kumar, Yogi said the opposition, including the Congress, SP, TMC and DMK, were "anti-women" and added that their speeches and actions have exposed them.He said the opposition's actions were "unpardonable sin" and women would never forgive them. "The manner in which opposition parties celebrated after the bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha and made irresponsible remarks has exposed their mindset towards women's dignity. The entire episode was extremely unfortunate for democracy and reflected deep-rooted resistance to women's empowerment," the CM said, adding that resentment would grow among women across social groups."After assuming office in 2014, PM Narendra Modi had said that the country has only four castes — poor, youth, farmers and women. But Congress has consistently opposed progressive steps taken by Modi govt for these sections. Rejection of the women's reservation amendment is another example of its negative politics," Yogi said.Addressing concerns related to the delimitation exercise, Yogi said clear assurances had been given by govt that no state would lose representation. "The sole intent of BJP was to reserve one-third of seats for women in national and state legislatures. Had the House acted with reason, the country would have achieved another historic milestone in ensuring women's dignity, security and self-reliance," he said.Responding to demands raised by some opposition parties regarding religion-based reservation, Yogi said such arguments went against the spirit of the Constitution and the vision of BR Ambedkar. He recalled that reservations based on religion were firmly rejected during the framing of the Constitution, with leaders cautioning that the country could not withstand further divisions after Partition.He also pointed to the opposition's double standards on Muslim women's rights. "Where were these parties during the Shah Bano case, when Muslim women were deprived of justice?" Yogi asked, adding that the same parties had opposed the law banning triple talaq.Referring to multiple schemes launched to empower women socially and economically, the CM cited initiatives such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, efforts to curb female foeticide, programmes to improve the sex ratio, strengthening maternal healthcare, and expanding immunisation coverage, which have contributed to a decline in maternal and infant mortality.In UP, he said, the Kanya Sumangala scheme was launched to support girls from birth through education by providing financial assistance at different stages of schooling.He underlined the impact of welfare schemes on women's daily lives, citing the Ujjwala scheme, construction of toilets, and housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. "These initiatives have directly protected women's dignity, health and safety," he said.Yogi said women's participation in governance and the workforce has increased significantly in recent years, both nationally and in Uttar Pradesh. "Our govt has focused on balanced representation. Recruitment drives, especially in the police department, have set an example for other states. Women are also emerging as entrepreneurs in self-help groups, MSMEs, startups, education, healthcare, science and agriculture," he said.Yogi said UP stands firmly with PM Modi and the NDA in the fight for women's dignity and rights. He appealed to women to reject anti-women politics, stating that whenever women have been given leadership, the country has witnessed positive change.Get real-time updates and result insights on the CBSE 12 Result 2026.