The Congress on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making a “dishonest pitch” for women’s reservation in his Independence Day address, arguing that the BJP-led government had deliberately delayed its implementation.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ was unanimously passed by Parliament in September 2023, but alleged that the Modi government’s “double-faced hypocrisy” ensured that it did not come into effect for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
“The PM made a dishonest pitch for women’s reservation in his address at the Red Fort today. He should know that Parliament unanimously passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in September 2023 — but it was the double-faced hypocrisy of the Modi Government that made sure it won’t come into effect from the 2024 elections itself,” Ramesh said in a post on X.
"The Prime Minister should remember that women’s reservation was introduced in the Constitution by the 73rd and 74th amendments passed in 1993, and that it was the vision and determination of Shri Rajiv Gandhi that made it happen," he added.
In his 13th address on 80th Independence Day, Modi appealed to all political parties to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies while lamenting that the issue has become a victim of politics for the last 40 years.
"Women today are giving able leadership in panchayats and nagar palikas and are guiding and resolving issues. Keeping this in view, we passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament, but for some reason this dream has been trapped in the political arena for the last 40 years,” he said.
"Under the shadow of the national flag, I appeal to all political parties: let's come forward in honour of those women and provide 33 per cent reservation to our mothers and daughters in Vidhan Sabhas and Lok Sabha and ensure their representation, so that they contribute in evolving India's policies," the prime minister added.
Modi further said political parties can claim credit for implementing the women’s reservation amendment Bill, as he emphasised the need to venerate women’s power.
"It is the need of the hour. I urge all political parties to come forward in implementing women's reservation and honour them,” he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
