Oppn insensitive towards women’s rights: UP BJP chief

Lucknow: Hours after govt failed to secure two third majority in getting the Constitution Amendment Bill to implement reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of seats of the Lok Sabha, party MP and UP BJP chief Pankaj Chaudhary said the opposition has once again exposed their insensitivity towards women’s rights.He said the Bill was a historic step aimed at ensuring meaningful participation of women in the political decision-making process, but Opposition parties prevented its passage and hurt the aspirations of the country’s women. Targeting Rahul Gandhi, Chaudhary alleged that the Opposition, under his leadership, obstructed the initiative for political reasons, which amounted to “injustice” towards women.He further said the Congress and its allies had historically treated women only as an electoral issue and backed away whenever the question of granting real political rights arose.In contrast, Chaudhary said govt led by PM Narendra Modi prioritised women’s empowerment through several concrete decisions and brought them into the mainstream of nation-building.Describing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam as a symbol of women’s dignity, rights and participation, the BJP leader said any attempt to block it was an insult to women’s self-respect.He said women across the country understood this “political double standard” and would give a befitting reply at an appropriate time.Chaudhary added that the BJP remained committed to protecting women’s rights and dignity and would continue efforts to further strengthen their empowerment.