The Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party has declared a statewide protest against the Congress and the INDIA alliance, accusing them of being “anti-women” for not supporting the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation) Bill on April 25.
State Mahila Morcha President C. Manjula announced that protest marches and public meetings will be organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party Mahila Morcha wings at all district centers. Starting from April 27, protests will extend to all 224 Assembly constituencies and 300 organizational mandals of the party.
Union Ministers and Members of Parliament will hold press conferences at divisional headquarters, with Member of Parliament B.Y. Raghavendra addressing a press conference in Shivamogga and Member of Parliament Brijesh Chowta in Mangaluru. Former Chief Ministers Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai, along with Union Minister V. Somanna, are scheduled to address the media in various cities on April 23, highlighting the alleged anti-women policies of the Congress and its allies.
The protests aim to convey that women in India are not just passive entities but a powerful force, according to Manjula. The agitation is intended to reflect this sentiment and raise awareness about the importance of women’s participation in politics.
The Women’s Reservation Bill, also known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, seeks to reserve 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies. It aims to enhance women’s representation in politics by ensuring one-third of all seats are reserved for female candidates, including within existing quotas for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party accuses opposition parties of delaying the implementation of the Bill despite having the power to pass it earlier. On the other hand, opposition parties claim that the government is using the Bill for political messaging without a genuine intention to implement it promptly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has endorsed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation Bill) as a significant step towards boosting women’s political representation in India. PM Modi has expressed the government’s determination to overcome obstacles to women’s reservation, despite setbacks.
