Bhubaneswar, Apr 18 (PTI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the defeat of the Constitution amendment bill to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 was “brazen betrayal” of ‘Nari Shakti’ and the aspirations of an inclusive India.
He also said those who stood in the way of women’s empowerment would face consequences.
“The opposition’s shameful obstruction of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha is a brazen betrayal of ‘Nari Shakti’ (women’s power) and the aspirations of an inclusive India. By prioritising petty politics over progress, they have attempted to deny women their rightful constitutional place,” Majhi said in a post on X on Friday.
In a major setback to the Centre, a Constitution amendment bill to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816 was defeated on Friday, with the ruling dispensation asserting that the struggle to give the rights to women will continue.
While 298 members voted in support of the bill, 230 MPs voted against it. Out of 528 members who voted, the bill required 352 votes for a two-thirds majority.
“History will record this disruption, and those who stood in the way of this landmark reform will be held accountable by women of this country,” Majhi said.
The ruling BJP accused BJD president Naveen Patnaik of betraying Biju Patnaik’s legacy and the women of Odisha.
The party also criticised the BJD for joining hands with the Congress and opposing the bill.
“…Naveen Babu, true empowerment means giving women a seat at the decision-making table, not just making empty claims. Teaming up with Congress for the Rajya Sabha on Biju Babu’s birth anniversary, and then joining them to oppose this crucial women’s rights bill on his (Biju) death anniversary, betrays his legacy and the women of Odisha,” the BJP said in a social media post.
The saffron party said the country’s true progress relies on the strength and voice of women.
It also alleged, “By standing against the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the BJD-Congress alliance is actively denying millions of women the power to lead and shape Bharat’s future!” Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who is also in-charge of Women and Child Development and Mission Shakti Department said, “The political parties that are conspiring against women’s empowerment for cheap politics will certainly get their answer.” She described the defeat of the bill in the Lok Sabha as an unfortunate moment for the country’s democracy.
“The 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill for one-third reservation to women was opposed by the INDI-alliance in the Lok Sabha, raising serious questions about their commitment to women’s empowerment. Despite an appeal by Hon’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji to rise above politics, the opportunity to strengthen ‘Nari Shakti’ was lost,” Parida said in a social media post.
The resolve to ensure women’s dignity and representation remains strong even though the bill was not passed, Parida said. PTI AAM AAM BDC
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