Karra cautions people against BJP’s deceitful tactics on women’s bill

Jammu, April 20: Intensifying his attack on the BJP over its campaign on the Women’s Reservation Bill, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hamid Karra on Monday termed the move as “misleading, deceptive, and politically motivated,” accusing the ruling party of attempting to exploit a sensitive issue for electoral gains.

Addressing a public meeting at Ward No. 34 in Jammu, Karra cautioned people against what he described as the BJP’s “deceitful tactics” aimed at diverting attention from its failure to ensure the actual implementation of 33 percent reservation for women in legislative bodies.

He alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to “befool the people, especially women,” by projecting itself as a champion of women’s empowerment, while in reality it has failed to translate its commitments into tangible outcomes.

“The BJP leadership has launched a malicious campaign across the country, including in Jammu and Kashmir, to claim credit on the issue of women’s reservation. The fact remains that the bill providing 33 percent reservation to women was unanimously passed in Parliament in 2023. What is required now is its immediate and effective implementation, which the BJP government has failed to ensure,” Karra said and dared the BJP to grant reservation to women on the pattern of the Bill passed in the year 2023.

Referring to the Women’s Reservation Bill 2023, he pointed out that while its passage was a welcome step, the delay in operationalising the provision raises serious questions about the intent of the government.

“Linking the implementation of the reservation to delimitation and future census exercises clearly indicates that the BJP is in no hurry to extend its benefits to women,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, the working president of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee and former Minister Raman Bhalla said that the BJP is indulging in political propaganda instead of addressing real issues concerning women, such as safety, economic empowerment, education, and healthcare. “Women across the country, including those in Jammu and Kashmir, are facing multiple challenges. Instead of addressing these concerns, the BJP is busy creating a narrative to gain political mileage,” he remarked.

Taking a dig at the BJP’s outreach programmes, he said that such campaigns are designed to “mislead and emotionally manipulate” women voters. “The women of this country are politically aware and conscious. They cannot be misled by slogans and publicity campaigns. They want concrete action, not empty promises,” he asserted.

Bhalla also reiterated the Indian National Congress party’s long-standing commitment to women’s empowerment and inclusive governance. He said that Congress has historically supported measures aimed at enhancing women’s participation in politics and decision-making processes.

“Congress party has always believed in empowering women not just through legislation but through actual representation and opportunities. We will continue to raise our voice until 33 percent reservation for women is implemented in letter and spirit,” said former minister and senior Congress leader Mula Ram while speaking on the occasion.

He also urged the electorate, particularly women, to remain vigilant against what he described as “false narratives and political gimmicks” being propagated for electoral advantage. “People must question the delay and demand accountability from the government. Women deserve justice, not political tokenism,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, former minister Yogesh Sawhney called upon party workers to actively reach out to the grassroots level and expose what he termed as the “double standards” of the BJP on women-related issues. He emphasized the need for sustained public awareness campaigns to counter misinformation and ensure that the truth reaches every household.

Reaffirming his party’s stance, Sawhney concluded by stating that the Congress would not allow the issue of women’s reservation to be reduced to a “mere political slogan” and would continue to press for its time-bound implementation across the country.

Party leaders Hari Singh Chib, Iqbal Dar and Vijayant  Pathania  charged the BJP with using emotional narratives to create confusion, while deliberately postponing the benefits of reservation for women.

Congress leaders said that deceitful tactics of BJP reflects its anti-women mindset and double standard.

Reiterating the Congress party’s commitment to women’s empowerment, they said that Congress party has always stood for greater political participation of women and will continue to raise its voice until the reservation is implemented in letter and spirit.

They urged the people, particularly women, to remain vigilant and not fall prey to what he termed as “false narratives and political gimmicks” being spread by the BJP for electoral gains.

The meeting witnessed participation from local residents, party workers, and women supporters, many of whom raised concerns over unemployment, rising prices, and lack of adequate opportunities for women in the region. Congress assured them that it would continue to fight for their rights and work towards ensuring equitable development and genuine empowerment.

Smt Kanta Bhan, Smt Parveen Akthar, Surinder Kumar, H S Baghi, Varinder Singh, Hoshiar Singh, Shambu Nath, Om Parkash, Tarun Vaid, Ramesh Kumar, Shahbaj Khan, Smt Raj Bibi, Sunil Sarmal, Azim Akthar, Nirmal Kumar, Rakesh Kumar, Anil Kumar, Parshotam Kumar, Sunil sarmal, Azim Akhtar, Nirmal Kumar, Rakesh Kumar, Anil Kumar,Parshotam Kumari also spoke on the occasion.