Jammu, 18 April: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Provincial President Jammu Rattan Lal Gupta launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing it of playing a “cruel political charade” with the women of India by mishandling the Women’s Reservation Bill.
Addressing a gathering at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan in Jammu, chaired by District President Jammu Urban, Chander Mohan Sharma, Gupta said the BJP government “reduced a historic opportunity for women’s empowerment into a hollow spectacle of political posturing.” He argued that the ruling party introduced the bill despite being fully aware that it lacked the crucial two thirds majority required for its passage.
“This was not legislative intent; it was legislative theatrics,” Gupta remarked, adding that the government failed to build consensus or take the opposition into confidence. “When you bring a constitutional amendment without groundwork or dialogue, you are not empowering women you are merely exploiting their aspirations for political optics.”
He further described the move as “a headline-hunting exercise rather than a genuine reform effort,” asserting that such actions undermine both parliamentary credibility and public trust.
Calling upon women across the country to remain vigilant, Gupta urged them to unite and resist what he termed as “tokenism masquerading as empowerment.” He emphasized the need for sustained, inclusive policies rather than “one-off symbolic gestures designed for applause, not impact.”
Highlighting the stance of the Omar-led government, Gupta said it remains committed to substantive empowerment of women through meaningful participation in development across all sectors.
Referring to the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, Gupta reiterated that the BJP knowingly pushed forward legislation without the numerical strength to secure its passage. “Introducing a bill destined to fail is not governance, it’s political grandstanding,” he quipped, noting that the bill’s defeat in the Lok Sabha exposed the government’s lack of seriousness.
On this occasion Prabha Salathia former President Women Wing Congress and District President Women wing, Congress along with women supporters joined National Conference . The names are Kalish Jamwal, Sunita Jamwal, Sheetal Manhas, Narinder Kour, Kulbir Kour, Neema and others.
“In the end,” Gupta concluded, “governance is not about staging dramatic moments in Parliament; it is about building consensus, delivering results, and respecting the intelligence of the people especially the women of this country.”
Among others who were present in the meeting included: Sheikh Bashir Ahmad Provincial Secretary Jammu, Deepinder Kour former MLC, Vijay Lochan Chairman SC Cell, Abdul Gani Teli Chairman OBC Cell, Laxmi Datta Senior leader, Rakesh Singh Raka, Dilshad Malik, Rita Gupta Vice Presidents Central Zone, S. Sandeep Singh Wazir Additional Spokesperson Jammu, Surinder Singh Jamwal, Aruna Thakur District President Ramban Women Wing, Sewak Singh Vice President District Jammu Urban, S. Gurnam Singh District Secretary Jammu Urban, Pinky Khalsa, Bahadur Lal Block President Bahu, Surinder Singh Jamwal, Ajay Singh, Ravinder Singh, Goutam Sharma and others.