K’taka BJP to launch statewide agitation on April 25, targets Congress over anti-women stance
The Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party has announced a statewide agitation against the Congress and the INDIA alliance, accusing them of being “anti-women” over not supporting the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women's Reservation) Bill on April 25.
IANS
Apr 21, 2026 11:05
0
Bengaluru, April 21 (IANS) The Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party has announced a statewide agitation against the Congress and the INDIA alliance, accusing them of being “anti-women” over not supporting the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women's Reservation) Bill on April 25.
Addressing the media at the Bharatiya Janata Party state office, Jagannath Bhavan, in Bengaluru, State Mahila Morcha President C. Manjula said protest marches and public meetings would be held by the Bharatiya Janata Party Mahila Morcha wings at all district centres.
She said that from April 27, protests would also be organised across all 224 Assembly constituencies and in 300 organisational mandals of the party. She added that discussions are underway to organise large rallies in Bengaluru and Hubballi at a later stage.
Manjula said that, starting today, Union Ministers and Members of Parliament will hold press conferences at divisional headquarters.
She noted that Member of Parliament B.Y. Raghavendra addressed a press conference in Shivamogga, while Member of Parliament Brijesh Chowta did so in Mangaluru. She further stated that former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar will address the media in Belagavi, former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in Haveri, and Union Minister V. Somanna in Mysuru on April 23, highlighting what she termed the Congress and its allies' anti-women policies.
She alleged that the Congress party has historically displayed an anti-women stance. She said it appears that Congress considers only leaders like Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi as women, while opportunities for ordinary women have been denied.
Responding to a question, Manjula said the protests aim to convey that women in India are “not just flowers, but also a force of fire,” and that the agitation would reflect this sentiment.
It can be noted that the Women’s Reservation Bill, officially known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, seeks to reserve 33 per cent of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies.
It aims to increase women’s representation in politics by ensuring that one-third of all seats are reserved for female candidates, including within existing quotas for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Opposition parties, including the Indian National Congress, argue that the Bill has been passed but will not be implemented immediately. It is linked to the next delimitation exercise and census, which means it could take several years before the reservation actually comes into effect.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party accuses opposition parties of failing to pass the Bill earlier despite being in power, while the opposition accuses the government of using the Bill for political messaging without real intent to implement it soon.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation Bill) as a major step to enhance women’s political representation in India. PM Modi further announced that, despite setbacks, the government is determined to remove all obstacles to women’s reservation.
