Jammu, July 25: Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), on Thursday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre, accusing it of depriving women of empowerment during its 10 years of rule in the country.
The senior NC leader was speaking during a daylong convention of the NC Women Wing held at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan Jammu. The meeting was organised under the chairmanship of Bimla Luthra, State Vice President Women’s Wing JKNC and former MLA, who highlighted the adverse impact of the BJP regime on women’s rights and safety, the party said in a statement issued here.
Bimla Luthra opened the meeting with a deep concern over the deteriorating condition of women’s rights and safety under the current government. She said the crime rate against women has surged, making them increasingly vulnerable. “Instead of providing empowerment, the BJP has systematically deprived women of opportunities and safety,” she said.
Luthra highlighted the plight of widows and elderly women, many of whom are not receiving their pensions. She demanded an increase in the pension amount to Rs 5,000 per month to cope with the rising inflation.
Addressing the gathering, Rattan Lal Gupta criticised the BJP government at both the Centre and the Union Territory Administration for neglecting women’s empowerment in Jammu and Kashmir. He accused the government of offering mere lip service without taking substantial action to support women in the region. “The government failed to establish a Border Battalion for women in border areas, which has left many women without employment opportunities. This shows the BJP’s lack of commitment to their cause,” he said.
“Our history is full of examples where women have played crucial roles in shaping society. Yet, under the BJP’s rule, women are being pushed back, their rights disregarded, and their potential stifled,” Gupta asserted.
He said that during the NC’s governance, 50% of MBBS seats in J&K were reserved for women. Gupta called on the women of Jammu and Kashmir to actively participate in the upcoming Assembly elections. “The NC is the only party committed to addressing the welfare needs of the masses and resolving their problems effectively,” he said.
Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Provincial Secretary Jammu, criticised the current government for failing on all fronts, alleging that corruption and nepotism have prevented the benefits of government schemes from reaching deserving women.
Vijay Lochan, Chairman of the NC SC Cell, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to protecting women’s rights and ensuring their empowerment. “The National Conference has always advocated for the upliftment of weaker sections of society and women’s empowerment and would continue to fight for these causes,” he said.
Other party leaders, including Pardeep Bali, Provincial Secretary Jammu, Rakesh Singh Raka, Vice President Central Zone, and Sardar Jatinder Singh Lucky, former Vice Chairman of the Cantt. Board Jammu, urged the women of Jammu and Kashmir to support the National Conference leadership in the upcoming polls.
