SAMBA, June 25: Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC), has affirmed the Party’s resolute commitment to empowering women in every sphere of life.
The provincial president was speaking during the day-long convention of women at Birpur in district Samba. The convention was organized under the chairmanship of Rajni Devi, District President Women Wing Samba.
Addressing the party workers, Rattan Lal said that the party has always been at the forefront of the struggle for gender equality, and it remains committed to ensuring that women in Jammu and Kashmir are empowered in every way possible. “Women are an integral part of our society, and it is our duty to empower them in every sphere – be it education, politics, or the economy,” he said.
Gupta emphasized that women’s empowerment is not just a political slogan but a core principle of the NC’s ideology. He added that the party’s manifesto bears testimony to this fact, as it includes a comprehensive plan to address the challenges faced by women in the state.
Gupta criticized the ruling party for their inadequate efforts to uplift women in Indian politics. “The BJP has failed miserably in its promises to bring greater representation to women in Parliament and state assemblies. These empty promises have only shown that the BJP is more interested in the promotion of its political agenda rather than addressing women’s rights,” said the Provincial President.
The senior NC leader emphasised that to empower women the first and foremost essential in today’s scenario is the implementation of a 33 per cent reservation for women in the highest temples of democracy i.e. in the Assembly and Parliament. He said that if the Government at the Centre is so much serious about women empowerment then the Women Reservation Bill which is lying before the Parliament should be passed immediately. This would be the first result oriented step towards empowerment of women in letter and spirit.
He asserted that National Conference, during its regime in Jammu and Kashmir, had given 50 per cent reservation to women in medical seats with a sole move to empower the women. He emphasized that women have a pivotal role to play in shaping the future of the state. Along with men, they should be given equal opportunities to contribute to the development of J&K. The National Conference, he said, will continue to work towards empowering women and ensuring that their rights are protected.
Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Provincial Secretary, JKNC Jammu, called upon all political parties and civil society organizations to come together to support the cause of women’s empowerment. He urged them to work towards creating a safe and inclusive society where women can thrive and make equal contributions to the nation’s progress.
Rajni Devi, District President JKNC Samba Women Wing, in her address, said that true empowerment for women can only be achieved through education, economic independence, and political participation. She asserted that the need for sustained efforts to create a society where every woman is treated with respect and given the opportunity to fulfill her potential. The National Conference is committed to working towards this goal, and calls upon all stakeholders to join hands in this important endeavor, she added.
Rajni Devi appealed to the women folk of the district to strengthen the hands of Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah for the brighter future of women in Jammu and Kashmir. “We believe that women’s participation in politics at all levels is essential for creating a just and equitable society. We will continue to fight for the rights of women, and we urge the BJP government to take swift action to ensure the implementation of the 33 per cent reservation policy for women in Parliament and Assembly,” she said.
Prominent among those who were present include Pardeep Bali, Vijay Lochan, Ab Ghani Teli, Sarpanch Bharat Bhushan, Ashok Kumar Attri, Mohinder Singh, Sudagar Gupta District President, Swarn Singh Block President, Bua Ditta Block President, Joginder Kumar, Shehnaz Akhtar, Yashpal District President OBC and Jagga Ram.