Smriti Irani dares Rahul Gandhi to back women's reservation bill

Smriti Irani challenged Rahul Gandhi over his women's empowerment remarks, asking him to support the 33% women's reservation bill. She countered his 'smash patriarchy' call by urging tangible action on the bill passed by the Modi government.

BJP National General Secretary Smriti Irani on Sunday took a swipe at Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on women's empowerment, urging him to demonstrate genuine support by cooperating in the swift implementation of the 33 per cent women's reservation bill introduced by the Narendra Modi government.

Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said women are the "strength of India" and urged them to assert their identity, fight for their rights and challenge patriarchal norms.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, "Women are the strength of India - its foundation, its present, and its future. You belong to no one but yourself. Be loud. Be proud. Fight for your space. Smash the patriarchy!" he added.

Addressing reporters, Irani said, "Former national president of the Congress party stated at an event that he supports women. Today, I would like to make a request to the former national president. Prime Minister Modi has passed a law providing 33% reservation for women across the country, enabling them to enhance the dignity of the nation's Parliament. Prime Minister Modi has appealed to all political parties to cooperate with him in the swift implementation of this women's reservation law. I humbly ask him to support the Prime Minister's initiative, specifically the swift implementation of the law providing 33% reservation for women and enabling them to take on leadership roles in Parliament," Irani said.

Irani challenges remarks on Hindu religion

Responding further to statements regarding the Hindu religion made during Rahul Gandhi's "Chhatron Ki Goonj" event yesterday, the BJP leader called upon the opposition party to sing the complete, unabridged version of the national song Vande Mataram at its headquarters.

"I am also aware that remarks regarding the Hindu religion were made at that Congress leader's event yesterday. Given that he has invoked religion, I make one further request to that leader: the lines of Vande Mataram that were halted at the Congress headquarters actually contain a reference to Goddess Durga. Regarding Mother Durga, whom we worship as the embodiment of Shakti, the full rendition and singing of Vande Mataram should take place at the Congress headquarters. This would reflect the interest and inclination they have shown towards women's issues," Smriti Irani added.

Gandhi on Saturday, during the Pune leg of his "Chhatron Ki Goonj" event, referred to the Manusmriti while discussing historical attitudes towards women and quoted a passage that, he alleged, denies women independence. "The Manusmriti says that ' in childhood, a female belongs to her father. In youth, she belongs to her husband. When her lord is dead, she belongs to her sons. A woman must never be independent.' This is a direct quote from the Manusmriti, and these words are a shame, because these words should never ever have been spoken," he alleged.

Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 was passed in both Houses of Parliament, but failed to move ahead with implementation after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill fell in the Lok Sabha on April 17, not being able to receive the constitutionally required two-thirds majority of members present and voting. The Bill proposed the implementation of the 33 per cent women's reservation in legislatures and delimitation in the Lok Sabha. (ANI)

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