Bhubaneswar: Amid intensifying political confrontation over the Women’s Reservation Bill, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organized a massive “Jan Aakrosh Mahila Rally” in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. The rally saw significant participation from women across various sectors of society, many of whom wore black bands to protest against opposition parties.
Addressing the gathering, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched a strong attack on opposition parties, accusing them of obstructing the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Act’ in Parliament and betraying the aspirations of women, who make up nearly half of the country’s population.
He characterized the situation not merely as a defeat of a legislative proposal but as a setback to the aspirations and empowerment of women. The Chief Minister stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to ensure 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, allowing for their meaningful participation in policymaking. However, he alleged that opposition parties derailed the initiative for narrow political interests.
“This is not the defeat of a bill but a blow to the dreams of mothers and women across the country. It is not a loss for the Prime Minister, but a setback for the aspirations of Indian women,” Majhi said. He further alleged that parties such as the Congress have historically treated women as a vote bank, while the current government remains committed to their genuine empowerment.
Highlighting state government initiatives, the Chief Minister referred to the ‘Subhadra Yojana’ as a transformative step toward ensuring financial independence for women. He also announced the upcoming launch of the ‘Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana,’ which will provide financial assistance of ₹20,000 at the birth of a girl child and Rs 1,01,000 upon completion of graduation. He reiterated the government’s vision to empower every woman in the state to become a “Lakhpati Didi.”
Taking a sharp dig at the opposition, Majhi stated that their “political misdeeds have reached a tipping point” and that the public would respond decisively. Condemning what he described as inappropriate remarks by opposition leaders against the Prime Minister and women, he warned that such conduct would have serious political consequences. Drawing a reference from mythology, he remarked that the opposition was nearing its “limit” and would face repercussions similar to Shishupala.
The Chief Minister asserted that the current wave of public anger would spread from villages to urban centers, significantly impacting the political future of opposition parties. He urged women to raise their voices and actively assert their rights.
Echoing similar sentiments, state BJP president Manmohan Samal stated that the parliamentary debate on the bill had the potential to reshape the nation’s future but was stalled by opposition parties. He alleged that their actions amounted to injustice toward women, which the electorate would not forgive.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida also criticized opposition parties, describing them as anti-women and asserting that women in Odisha would reject such attitudes. She reiterated that the central government has consistently prioritized women’s empowerment and that the BJP has a long-standing commitment to safeguarding women’s dignity and rights.
The rally was attended by several senior leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, ministers Prithviraj Harichandan, Rabi Narayan Naik, Gokulananda Mallik, and Member of Parliament Pratap Sarangi, among others. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by BJP Mahila Morcha state president Dr Aishwarya Biswal.
The large-scale mobilisation reflects the growing political intensity surrounding the Women’s Reservation Bill, with the issue expected to remain at the center of public and political discourse in the coming days.
