JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN — Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has strongly criticised opposition parties following the failure of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, calling it a setback for both democracy and women’s empowerment.
Speaking in Jaipur, Sharma said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had introduced a landmark bill aimed at providing 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, describing it as a major step toward empowering women across the country.
However, he alleged that the bill could not be passed due to what he termed the “negative attitude” of the opposition, adding that the developments in Parliament have deeply hurt not only democratic values but also the aspirations of millions of women.
Sharma подчеркнул that the bill represented the hopes of “mothers and sisters” across India, and its rejection has delayed a long-awaited reform intended to increase women’s participation in governance and decision-making.
In a sharp political attack, he accused the Congress and its allies of intentionally blocking the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, claiming that it was part of a “well-planned strategy” to prevent women from receiving their rights.
He further alleged that celebrations by opposition leaders after the bill’s failure reflected insensitivity toward women’s issues, calling the situation a “shameful moment” in the history of Indian democracy.
According to Sharma, the incident has exposed the true stance of opposition parties on women’s empowerment, and he suggested that voters would take note of these developments.
His remarks come amid a nationwide political debate following the failure of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, with leaders from the ruling alliance and opposition continuing to trade accusations over responsibility for the outcome.
Political observers note that women’s reservation has emerged as a central issue in current political discourse, especially as parties seek to connect with voters ahead of upcoming elections.
Bhajan Lal Sharma’s statement reflects the BJP’s strong position on the issue, framing the bill’s failure as both a political setback and a broader concern affecting democratic values and women’s rights in India.
