Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh asserted that for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the women’s reservation bill is not merely a legislative act but a matter of deep-seated faith and commitment. He emphasized that over the past decade, the government has consistently placed women at the forefront of its policy-making, from flagship welfare programs to fostering a significant rise in women-led startups, thereby positioning them as crucial drivers of India‘s developmental trajectory. This perspective, he argued, represents a fundamental ideological conviction of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Modi’s vision for a women-led development model.
Dr. Singh launched a pointed critique against the Congress and the INDI alliance, accusing them of obstructing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. He contended that the legislation embodies more than just a policy initiative; it reflects the core ideological tenets of the BJP and Prime Minister Modi’s aspiration for women’s empowerment. Since 2014, the Modi government, according to Dr. Singh, has fundamentally reshaped governance by centering policy planning and implementation around women. He stated that women are no longer viewed as passive recipients of aid but as active participants in shaping India’s developmental journey, a transformation he attributed to a deliberate and sustained policy approach.
Recalling Prime Minister Modi’s inaugural Independence Day address in 2014, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the initial emphasis on constructing toilets, particularly for women, as a pivotal moment in defining governance priorities. (Daily Excelsior reported that Dr. Singh said, “What appeared unconventional at the time has today translated into dignity, safety and improved health outcomes for millions of women.”) This initiative, he explained, has had a profound impact on sanitation and girls’ education through the Swachh Bharat Mission. Furthermore, the Minister underscored the transformative influence of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, asserting that it has liberated women from the perils of hazardous indoor pollution, leading to improved health indicators and facilitating their economic engagement. (As per information available with TahirRihat.com, Dr. Singh remarked, “This is not incremental change; this is structural transformation at the grassroots.”)
Dr. Singh further elaborated on the untapped potential of women in India, stating that while the potential has always existed, the necessary enabling frameworks were absent. He credited the Modi government with unlocking this potential over the last decade, citing the increasing numbers of women in civil services, STEM fields, research, and even in frontline combat roles within the armed forces. (Daily Excelsior reported that Dr. Singh observed, “India’s women have moved from the margins to the mainstream, and now to leadership.”) Regarding the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, he explained that its design was intended to institutionalize women’s participation in governance and decision-making processes. He criticized the opposition’s response, stating that at a critical juncture for this historic advancement, they opted for obstruction rather than cooperation, prioritizing political calculations over women’s empowerment.
The Minister characterized the opposition’s stance as a “historic betrayal,” noting that despite the Congress party invoking the concept of women’s reservation for over half a century, they consistently failed to implement it. (According to Daily Excelsior, Dr. Singh stated, “When a credible, constitutionally viable and well-researched framework was presented, they resorted to procedural excuses and diversionary arguments. This exposes their lack of intent.”) He also pointed out that the BJP has already embedded a 33% reservation for women within its organizational structure. (Daily Excelsior reported that Dr. Singh added, “Unlike Congress, which remains entrenched in dynastic politics, BJP has promoted women based on merit, performance and leadership potential.”) Dr. Singh expressed confidence in the electorate’s awareness, suggesting that women, being politically astute and socially assertive, would recognize and reject this obstruction, potentially transforming the issue into a nationwide movement for rightful representation.
Echoing these sentiments, BJP National Vice President and Rajya Sabha MP Saroj Pandey directly challenged the Congress leadership. She argued that women had long been treated as a mere vote bank, and when an opportunity for structural empowerment arose, the Congress retreated. (Daily Excelsior reported that Pandey stated, “Slogans like ‘Ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon’ ring hollow when the biggest legislative opportunity for women’s empowerment is abandoned. The country deserves an answer.”) She further condemned the opposition’s reaction to the bill’s setback as deeply insensitive and dismissive of women’s aspirations, suggesting it reflected a disconnect from the realities and expectations of Indian women.
The BJP leaders concluded by drawing a stark contrast: on one side stands a government committed to women’s empowerment through policy, reform, and representation, and on the other, an opposition that has repeatedly delayed, diluted, and denied women their rights. They expressed their conviction that women across India would perceive this distinction and respond decisively through democratic means.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.