Ranchi: Days after the constitutional amendment bill for women's reservation failed to pass in Parliament, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday took to the streets of Ranchi by organizing a 'Mahila Akrosh' rally from Morabadi to Albert Ekka Chowk. The protest aimed to accuse the Congress-led INDIA bloc of deceiving women and denying them their rights.
The march was led by Union minister and Koderma MP Annapurna Devi, with former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi and others following. Thousands of BJP workers, including several social activists, walked the 4-kilometer stretch under the scorching sun, raising slogans against Congress and its alliance partners. The protesters also criticized the Hemant Soren-led government over rising crimes against women in Jharkhand.
Heavy police deployment was in place since morning along the designated route, while traffic flow at key points was diverted to ensure security.
Annapurna Devi's Address
Addressing the gathering, Devi hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to empower women through various government schemes. She stated, "It was his efforts to ensure reservation for women due to which the three-day special session of Parliament was convened on April 16 to pass the bill. However, Congress and its allies did not allow it to happen. That is the mentality of INDIA bloc parties."
State BJP President's Allegations
State BJP president Aditya Sahu alleged that Congress only cares about Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. He added, "Similarly, in Jharkhand, Chief Minister Hemant Soren only cares about Kalpana Soren (his wife and Gandey MLA). For the past several days, injustice and atrocities against women in the state are on the rise, but the government remains apathetic."
Padma Shri Awardee's Remarks
Padma Shri awardee Jamuna Tudu, who participated in the march, claimed that Congress ruled the country for 70 years but did nothing for women's rights.
Congress Response
Hitting back, state Congress chief spokesperson Lal Kishore Nath Shahdev dubbed the rally as a political drama to mislead the people of the country. He said, "A rally where general people have no participation is merely a ploy to distract people. It is yet another 'event' by BJP, which isn't aimed at upliftment of women, but a political drama orchestrated to hide its failures."
