On Tuesday, in protest against the opposition’s alleged conspiracy on the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, thousands of women took to the streets in Lucknow during a ‘Jan Akrosh Padyatra’. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya, Panchayati Raj Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar, Rajya Sabha MP Arun Singh and Union Minister Pankaj Chaudhary participated in the march. The protesters raised slogans against the Congress and the Samajwadi Party.
All the speakers said that the bill was set to pass the Parliament on April 17, but the Congress and the SP not only opposed it, but also celebrated it after they voted for it. They termed this as a violation of women’s rights and warned that these parties will face the consequences of women’s anger in the 2027 elections. Union Minister Pankaj Chaudhary even stated that the INDI alliance has now proved itself as an anti-women alliance.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said, “Today, the women of the state are on the streets. Due to the alleged nexus and close-mindedness of SP and Congress, the Nari Shakti Vandan Act was stalled in Parliament. Angry women in Uttar Pradesh are now confronting these parties publicly and they will have to bear the consequences of the elections.”
He added that during SP rule, criminals were openly harassing women, that is why slogans like “Dekh sapai, bitiya ghabraai” are raised. He asked for unity to make SP and Congress understand the strength of women’s power.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said, “SP will be wiped out.” He questioned whether any party can win elections in 2027 without the support of women. If women are not given reservation, SP and Congress will not get votes, he warned.
He reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s commitment that women will get reservation and called for the protest march to continue with that determination.
Rajya Sabha MP Arun Singh said, “On April 17, women across the country had hoped for a positive decision on the Nari Shakti Vandan Act. It could have been a historic day celebrated nationwide. However, the Congress and SP opposed the amendment and voted against it in Parliament.”
He said that they not only opposed it, but also applauded after doing so, which reflects their mentality. This has led to widespread public outrage, which is why such a large gathering has gathered to declare that they will never forgive these parties.
Pankaj Chaudhary said, “Elevation and respect of women is the identity of BJP. Under the leadership of PM Modi, continuous efforts are being made to empower women. The main objective of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act was to give women leadership opportunities by ensuring 33% reservation in the Lok Sabha and parties formed by SP, state assemblies including opposition parties, SP.”
Some argued that it would create a divide between North and South India, while others demanded special reservations for Muslim women. He said that all the objections were answered in detail in the Assembly, but the opposition, in pursuit of vote-bank politics, ended up harming the interests of 80% women in the majority in the name of 20% women in the minority.
