Ayodhya, April 19: Prominent saints and religious leaders in Ayodhya expressed strong reactions following the failure of the Women’s Reservation Bill (131st Amendment) in the Lok Sabha. They accused opposition parties of playing political games against women’s empowerment and respect.
Mahant Sitaram Das, head of the Saket Bhawan Temple, stated, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ to ensure women’s respect and empowerment, but opposition parties attempted to block it. For years, parties like Congress, Samajwadi Party, TMC, and AAP have worked against our cultural values. Our tradition states, ‘Yatra Naryastu Pujyante, Ramante Tatra Devata’—where women are honored, divine powers reside. By opposing this bill, they have showcased their negative mindset towards women and the values of our nation. I pray that the Prime Minister continues to work for the nation and its culture. This bill will be reintroduced and passed with a strong mandate in the future.”
Paramhans Acharya, head of the Tapasvi Chawani, reacted to the Prime Minister’s address, saying, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is consistently working to ensure respect and greater participation for women in every field. However, opposition parties have acted against women’s interests. They want women’s votes but do not want to see them advancing or receiving respect. When I heard the Prime Minister’s speech, he appeared very emotional and hurt. His dream was to see women empowered in all areas, but that dream has now been postponed.”
Arya Saint Varun Das commented on the issue, stating, “The Women’s Reservation Bill has failed in Parliament. There have been several attempts before, but reservation for women must be ensured. Increasing women’s participation will strengthen democracy.”
Iqbal Ansari, a former Muslim litigant in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, added, “Our country’s traditions, laws, and systems emphasize that women should be respected. Women should have equal opportunities in politics so they can play their roles in every sector of society.”
It is noteworthy that this bill aimed to implement 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies and to advance the delimitation process based on the 2011 census. The government’s effort was to make this reservation effective by 2029, but it failed due to a lack of two-thirds majority.
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