Delhi, India
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy strongly criticised the opposition after the Women’s Reservation Bill failed to pass in Parliament, calling it an “insult” to women and alleging that their rights have been denied.
Speaking in Delhi, Kishan Reddy said that the rejection of the bill is a setback for women’s empowerment, especially given the long history of discussions around reservation for women in legislative bodies.
He stated that the failure to pass the bill amounts to denying women their rightful representation and opportunities in governance.
The Union Minister accused the Congress party of consistently opposing women’s reservation over the decades. He referred to different political periods, including the tenures of P. V. Narasimha Rao, Manmohan Singh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that the party had opposed the measure across governments.
He alleged that Congress has repeatedly voted against the bill, including during the latest attempt when the proposal for 33 percent reservation was rejected.
Kishan Reddy also linked the demand for women’s reservation to historical advocacy, mentioning that the issue has been discussed since the time of B. R. Ambedkar. He suggested that despite such long standing demands, progress has been hindered by political opposition.
He emphasized that the issue has been pending for decades and that its rejection reflects a failure to address a crucial reform.
In a strong political statement, the Union Minister said that women across the country would respond to this development in the future, particularly through their participation in elections.
He claimed that “India’s 70 crore women will never forgive Congress,” adding that they will express their response through their votes.
The Women’s Reservation Bill, which proposes 33 percent reservation for women in legislative bodies, has been a major topic of political debate. While there is broad consensus on the need for increased representation, parties have differed on the structure, timing, and provisions linked to the bill.
Kishan Reddy’s remarks come amid a series of sharp exchanges between the ruling party and opposition leaders, with both sides presenting contrasting narratives about their commitment to women’s empowerment.
It is important to note that these statements are political allegations made during an ongoing debate, and opposition parties have offered differing views on the issue.
As discussions continue, the question of women’s representation remains central to India’s political discourse, with significant public and political attention on how and when such reforms will be implemented.
