Instances of crime against women have increased steeply in the last two years, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat has said.
“This apart, lakhs of women have lost their livelihood as the MGNREGS has come to a standstill. The Modi government at the Centre is, however, in the denial mode,” Ms. Brinda Karat said while addressing the media here on Friday.
The BJP-led NDA government’s rule led to deterioration in the status of women on several fronts, she said.
Crime against women
“The Central government hasn’t released the statistics pertaining to crimes against women for the last two years. As many as 38,000 cases have been reported. Crimes against children and minor girls are a matter of concern,” Ms. Brinda Karat said. “The elected representatives and swamijis accused of sexual harassment are being shielded in Uttar Pradesh,” she alleged.
Referring to the loss of livelihood for women, she said the government, instead of giving some guarantees or ensuring relief to the workers, was making vague statements.
On the Women’s Reservation Bill, she said the government refused to pass it. In the run-up to the 2014 elections, this was the major promise to women. Despite the huge majority in the Lok Sabha, the BJP didn’t do anything on the issue. On the other hand, it passed the Triple Talaq Bill.
“The RSS and the BJP are not interested in women’s reservation as it is against their ideology,” she alleged, and demanded that the Bill be introduced in the ensuing Parliament session.
‘Jagan silent’
Referring to the functioning of the YSRCP government, she said Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy was silent on the policies of the Centre and its impact on the federal structure.
“When all other States are voicing their concern against the Centre’s policies, the A.P. government is silent. It is even more surprisingly that Mr. Reddy is not reacting even when the Centre is denying the rights of the State,” she added.
