Union Minister Smriti Irani delivered a scathing rebuke to Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, countering his allegations that the Bharatiya Janata Party government’s ‘Nari Shakti’ slogans amount to mere lip service devoid of substantive action.
Denouncing Congress’ critique of the Central government’s stance on women’s issues, Smriti Irani branded Jairam Ramesh as a “courtier” of the Gandhis via her discourse on social media platform X. She lamented the prolonged reign of dynastic rulers who, under the guise of legitimate custodianship, exploited India’s resources. Even after their political decline, their adherents persist in distorting facts, manipulating statistics to undermine the BJP government’s endeavors towards women’s welfare.
On a different occasion, Congress luminary Jairam Ramesh decried what he termed as “massive failures” within the Ministry of Women and Child Development over the past decade. He envisioned a Congress-led administration, slated to commence in June 2024, as the antidote to what he dubbed “a decade of injustice for women.”
Citing a decade rife with “incompetence, apathy, and a hostile stance towards women” within the WCD Ministry, Ramesh emphasized his allegations. In response, Smriti Irani embarked on an extensive discourse on platform X, asserting that misguided endeavors, camouflaged as intellectual pursuits, merely spotlight Ramesh’s glaring ineptitude. She countered his assertions, highlighting the substantial strides made by the BJP government in empowering women under the banner of ‘Nari Shakti’.
Drawing attention to the selective amnesia displayed by her detractors, Irani underscored the Modi administration’s initiatives. Despite Ramesh’s acknowledgment of the UPA’s establishment of the NIRBHAYA Fund, Irani pointed out the fund’s dormancy until 2014. Post-2014, the Modi regime spearheaded 40 projects nationwide, utilizing a significant portion of the allocated funds.
Highlighting the efficacy of initiatives such as the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) and Women Helpline (WHL), Irani debunked Ramesh’s allegations of governmental apathy. The BJP government’s proactive stance, she argued, stands in stark contrast to the UPA’s inertia, reflecting not just in numbers but in palpable governance reforms.
Refuting Ramesh’s claims of diminishing support for women and girls, Irani pointed to a threefold increase in gender-specific allocations since 2014-15. She extolled the flourishing flagship programs of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, attributing their success to proactive governance under the Modi regime.
Irani further lambasted her adversaries for their newfound advocacy for Anganwadi workers, alleging their feigned concern as a ploy. She highlighted the BJP government’s tangible support for these workers, citing significant pay hikes and enrollment in welfare schemes.
Emphasizing the empowerment of women in the workforce, Irani cited statistics from the 2022-23 PLFS Report, signaling a surge in female labor force participation. She lauded initiatives such as MUDRA loans and Stand-Up India, portraying women as architects of their enterprises under PM Modi’s leadership.
Irani concluded by affirming the BJP government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, contrasting it with the opposition’s hollow promises. With the impending Lok Sabha elections looming, the discourse surrounding women’s welfare takes center stage in India’s political landscape.