Chandigarh: Led by Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma, a large number of women from across Punjab marched towards the residence of chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday. They demanded an explanation from the Aam Aadmi Party for opposing the passage of the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill that could have paved the way for early implementation of women's reservation in the Parliament and state legislatures.
The Chandigarh Police detained several BJP leaders as they tried to march towards the CM's residence here. Those detained included former Union minister Parneet Kaur and Jai Inder Kaur, president of the BJP Mahila Morcha, Punjab.
Raising "Nari Shakti Zindabad" slogans, the women vowed to continue their fight for equal rights.
Ashwani Sharma criticizes opposition
Earlier, addressing the gathering, Ashwani Sharma said the Narendra Modi-led BJP government had consistently stood for women's empowerment. "While political parties often disagree on various issues, it is surprising that the Congress and the AAP have come together in opposing reservation for women," said Sharma.
He said it reflected sheer political opportunism, with both parties indulging in vote-bank politics and resisting structural reforms that could alter their internal power dynamics.
Jai Inder Kaur calls it a black day
Jai Inder Kaur termed the blocking of the Bill as a "black day" for democracy. "The Congress and the AAP have consistently treated women merely as a vote bank and have failed them when it comes to ensuring rightful representation. The INDI Alliance appears threatened by the growing political empowerment of women. Women across India will respond strongly to this insult," she said.
Parneet Kaur urges unity
Parneet Kaur said instead of earning goodwill by promoting women's interests, the opposition played a negative role in obstructing women's reservation. She urged all political parties to rise above personal interests and work towards the upliftment of half the country's population.
