“How can democracy claim victory when daughters lose?” CM Rekha Gupta slams Parliament developments

Opposition has become ‘All India Anti-Reform Congress’; playing politics over women’s rights is shameful: CM

Those who raised ‘Ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon’ now stand against women’s rights: CM

Women BJP leaders raise slogans in support of Nari Shakti Vandan Act and the Prime Minister

New Delhi, April 2026 : Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta on Sunday launched a sharp attack over the recent developments in the Lok Sabha concerning the Women’s Reservation Bill and the Constitution Amendment Bill, calling them ‘deeply unfortunate’ and unjust to the women of the country. Addressing a press conference at the BJP office on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, Gupta said the events of the past three days in Parliament were ‘deeply disappointing’ and reflected a continued denial of women’s rights even 78 years after Independence.

“Daughters of this country are still fighting for their rightful place. And yet, what we are being told is that this is a victory of democracy. How can democracy claim victory when daughters lose?” she asked. Taking aim at parties that once championed the slogan “Ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon”, Gupta accused them of abandoning the very cause they once claimed to represent. “Those who gave this slogan are now standing against women’s rights,” she said.

She noted that the Women’s Reservation Bill has been brought to Parliament repeatedly over the past 30 years, only to be obstructed each time. “At different points, it was torn, stalled, even symbolically burned. This time too, the opposition ensured it did not pass by manufacturing arguments,” she said. Gupta pointed out that the 2023 law clearly states that reservation for women will be implemented after delimitation. “If this condition was accepted then, why oppose it now? This contradiction must be answered,” she added.

Responding to the opposition’s demand for 33% reservation within the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats, she posed a direct question: “Which of the current male representatives is ready to give up his seat?” She described the Centre’s proposal to expand the number of seats as a solution that benefits all sides, ensuring 33% reservation for women without displacing sitting representatives, while also safeguarding the representation of states and regional parties.

Gupta underlined that Lok Sabha seats have remained frozen at 543 since 1971, when India’s population was around 50 crore. “Today, we are nearing 150 crore. Redistribution and expansion of seats is no longer optional, it is necessary,” she said, adding that this presents the right opportunity to ensure women get their due. Dismissing the opposition’s demand for a ‘quota within quota,’ she said it was nothing more than an excuse. “They don’t just want rights, they want everything at once. Yet, they are unwilling to agree even on the basic right of women entering Parliament and Assemblies,” she remarked.

She also targeted the opposition over its stance on issues concerning Muslim women, recalling their positions during the triple talaq legislation and the Shah Bano case. “Their current stand is nothing but political pretence,” she said. Referring to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Gupta said he had gone to the extent of telling the opposition to take credit for the bill if it ensured its passage. “Even then, they refused,” she said, describing the Congress as the ‘All India Anti-Reform Congress’ for opposing major reforms including surgical strikes, digital payments, GST, Article 370, triple talaq, Uniform Civil Code, CAA, and One Nation-One Election. Highlighting the government’s work on women’s empowerment, Gupta listed initiatives such as the construction of 10 crore toilets, Ujjwala gas connections, housing schemes, nutrition and healthcare programmes, maternity benefits, and increased participation of women in the armed forces.

She alleged that opposition leaders fear the rise of women from ordinary backgrounds who could challenge entrenched political families. “In many parties, opportunities are limited to women from within the same family, leaving little space for others,” she said. Raising concerns over delays, Gupta said that given the current status of the census and delimitation process, full implementation of the bill by 2029 appears unlikely. “Why should women have to wait another five to ten years for their rights?” she asked.

Citing data, she said there are around 15 lakh women representatives in local bodies, but only about 400 in state assemblies and just 78 in the Lok Sabha. “If everything worked on auto mode, women would already have reached higher levels of politics. Clearly, that has not happened and that is why policy intervention is essential,” she said. Using a striking metaphor, Gupta added, “Iron becomes stronger when it is forged, and gold shines brighter when tested by fire. Our daughters too will emerge stronger through struggle.” She expressed confidence that the Prime Minister remains committed to securing women their rightful place.

The press conference, coordinated by BJP spokesperson and MLA Shikha Rai, was attended by MLAs Poonam Bhardwaj, Yogita Singh, Lata Gupta, Sunita Kangra, ministers Sarika Jain and Sona Kumari, Mahila Morcha president Richa Pandey, in-charge Shyam Bala, general secretary Sarita Tomar, and others. At the end of the event, all leaders raised their hands and shouted slogans in support of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act and the Prime Minister.

Speaking at the press conference, MLA Shikha Roy said the BJP had made its intent clear when Rekha Gupta was appointed Chief Minister. “It was meant to be a stepping stone for women who aspire to enter politics,” she said. She accused the Congress, particularly Rahul Gandhi, of blocking what she described as a legitimate pathway for women’s entry into legislative bodies. “Dynastic parties promote women from their own families but prevent others from coming forward,” she said. Calling the blocking of the bill unjust, Roy alleged that it was defeated through “deliberate diversion and misleading arguments.” She added, “This reflects the Congress’s anti-women mindset.”