Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Leads BJP Protest March for Women’s Reservation
March Organized Against Lok Sabha Bill Defeat
On Tuesday, a significant political demonstration took place in Lucknow as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organized a march in response to the recent failure of the Constitution Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath spearheaded the ‘Jan Akrosh Mahila Padyatra’, which lasted approximately 20 minutes, commencing from his official residence and concluding at the Vidhan Sabha. Adityanath was accompanied by key figures including Cabinet ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, and leaders from allied parties such as Apna Dal, Nishad Party, and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party.
The march was notably characterized by a united front against perceived anti-women sentiments among opposition parties. Adityanath, wearing a saffron scarf to combat the heat, addressed supporters outside the Assembly, asserting that both the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) maintain an undemocratic character and engage in actions detrimental to women. “Their actions are anti-women,” he claimed.
Constitution Amendment Bill Fails Due to Opposition
The controversy stems from the defeat of the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, which aimed to secure a 33% reservation for women in both the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies while facilitating the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies. This bill marked a notable instance as it was the first legislation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration to be rejected in Parliament.
Prior to the march, Deputy Chief Ministers Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya emphasized the importance of women’s representation in future elections. Maurya declared that without women’s support, no party, particularly the Samajwadi Party, could win the upcoming 2027 elections. He urged voters to reject parties that oppose women’s reservations.
Political Messaging Targeting the Opposition
The BJP’s demonstrative efforts were primarily aimed at the Samajwadi Party, which has emerged as their main rival in the state. Women and men participating in the march displayed placards and vocally condemned the opposition, with slogans pointing to the disrespect they attribute to the SP regarding women’s rights.
The Samajwadi Party, however, has defended its stance, with party leader Akhilesh Yadav addressing criticisms directed at them by the BJP. Yadav stated that the SP’s objections to the bill were based on concerns regarding the rapid pace of the delimitation process, particularly in the absence of a caste census. He expressed that the SP is supportive of women’s reservation but accused the ruling party of using the issue for political gain.
Chief Minister’s Response and Future Actions
During the assembly demonstration, Chief Minister Adityanath reiterated the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, highlighting various initiatives launched at both the Central and State levels, including the Swachh Bharat Mission and Ujjwala scheme aimed at safeguarding women’s dignity and health.
In addition to the march, the BJP has planned further actions, including special Assembly sessions focused on women’s issues. Conversely, the opposition is preparing to push the state government for formal proposals to advocate for the 33% reservation for women at the national level.
