ttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday found himself in the crosshairs of the Opposition attack on the government over the women’s reservation Bill.
During a debate over the Bill in Rajya Sabha, at least two key Opposition parties attempted to embarrass the ruling party by quoting from purported statements of Yogi Adityanath when he was an MP.
While questioning the sincerity of the BJP in bringing a Bill to reserve 33% reservation for women, TMC leader of the House Derek O’Brien quoted the CM as having allegedly said, ‘People in air-conditioned rooms in Delhi cannot decide public policy. This Bill will drown the Indian political system if it goes through. If men develop feminine traits, they become Gods. If women develop masculine traits, they become Rakshas. Western ideas of women’s liberation should be properly analysed in Indian context.’
He then said, ‘You can build new buildings, but first at least change your mindset.’
Asking if the government was actually serious about empowering women, O’Brien said, ‘All the struggles and oppression faced by women is not because of women. It is because of men and their outlook towards women. I do not wish to waste my time on a former wrestling chief.’
After his speech, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar asked O’Brien to authenticate his allegations about Yogi during the course of the day. O’Brien had claimed that he was quoting the UP CM as reported in the media.
Congress leader KC Venugopal too chose to corner the government by quoting a purported statement of Yogi Adityanath in response to the 2010 women’s reservation Bill.
He claimed the current UP CM had then said, ‘There is a reservation for women at local level. How does it impact the other responsibilities of women such as childcare. It should be assessed whether women’s quota affects these roles.’
He then said, ‘It means your attitude is that women are meant for childcare.’
‘You are talking about women empowerment. Women were paraded naked in Manipur and the PM did not utter a single word for three months. In Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme government only utilized Rs 156 crore out of the budget of Rs 848 crore. Shockingly, 80% of the funds were spent on publicity. Why 30% of Nirbhaya fund is unutilized. Women are crying… LPG gas is Rs 1000 a cylinder, petrol, tomato … price rise everywhere… women are in a very difficult situation…,’ he added.
SRK Bharat
