Yogi Adityanath Targets Opposition in Assembly, Calls Women’s Empowerment ‘Top Priority’ and Slams Rejection of Nari Shakti Vandan Bill
In a strongly worded address during a special one-day session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly in Lucknow, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath placed women’s empowerment at the center of his government’s agenda while launching a sharp critique of opposition parties, particularly the Samajwadi Party and the Indian National Congress.
Speaking ahead of a detailed discussion on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the Chief Minister accused opposition parties of consistently resisting reforms aimed at social welfare and gender justice.
He described their stance on the bill—recently debated in the Lok Sabha—as a “historic mistake,” alleging that blocking such a proposal had tarnished their political legacy.
Adityanath drew a parallel with the Shah Bano case, arguing that past decisions by Congress had undermined justice for women and contributed to its political decline.
He suggested that similar opposition to women-centric policies today could have comparable consequences for parties like the Samajwadi Party.
Highlighting government initiatives, the Chief Minister pointed to schemes such as financial inclusion through Jan Dhan accounts and the large-scale construction of household toilets under national sanitation drives.
He emphasized that over 2.6 crore toilets were built in Uttar Pradesh, contrasting this with what he described as slower progress under previous regimes.
He framed these initiatives not merely as infrastructure projects, but as measures tied directly to dignity, health, and safety for women—particularly in rural areas where open defecation had long exposed them to risks and indignities.
In a more pointed political attack, Adityanath accused opposition leaders of hypocrisy, citing past controversies and statements by certain politicians as evidence of what he described as a lack of genuine commitment to women’s rights.
He alleged that while these parties often invoke social justice, their track record reflects indifference toward women, marginalized communities, and law and order.
The Chief Minister concluded by asserting that true empowerment requires both policy commitment and social change, positioning his government’s efforts as aligned with these goals while portraying the opposition as obstructive forces in that journey.
