Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav emphasized accountability for those suppressing women’s aspirations, stating that even those evading justice would be held responsible. Speaking at a rally in Bhopal before joining the BJP’s protest march, Yadav condemned injustices against women and encouraged them to speak up nationwide, affirming India’s commitment to respecting women. He criticized the Congress for obstructing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament, alleging the party’s reluctance to support women’s rights and vowed BJP’s support for women’s voices.
The Chief Minister also criticized Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, questioning her silence on women’s issues despite her past advocacy. Accusing Congress of a history of suppressing women’s rights, Yadav highlighted opposition to reforms from independence to the Triple Talaq law era. The padyatra, starting at Motilal Vigyan Mahavidyalaya ground and ending at Roshanpura square, witnessed significant female participation, with Yadav walking in solidarity with them.
The protest was a response to the Lok Sabha’s rejection of the Women’s Reservation Bill, where 298 votes were in favor and 230 against out of 528, resulting in the bill’s failure. In retaliation, Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Shobha Oza alleged a government conspiracy to monopolize power under the guise of women’s reservation, praising opposition unity as a win for democracy. Oza highlighted Congress’s consistent support for women’s reservation, citing instances from Rajiv Gandhi’s proposal in 1989 to the UPA government’s bill passage in 2010.
The defeat of the amendment bill has sparked a political discourse on women’s reservation, with BJP and Congress engaging in accusations and mobilizing support, indicating the issue’s significance in national politics.
