Guwahati, May 28 (IANS) Assam Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Rishiraj Hazarika on Thursday said that the ruling party remains firmly committed to ensuring women’s safety and empowerment, while alleging that the Congress opposed measures aimed at protecting women’s rights.

Speaking to IANS, Hazarika said the BJP-led government under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had fulfilled its promise of introducing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the Assembly soon after returning to power.

“We had already told the people that once our government returns, the UCC would be introduced in the very first Assembly session. Yesterday, we brought the UCC, and it was passed with a majority,” the BJP legislator said.

Hazarika, who won from the Ranganadi Assembly constituency in the recently concluded Assam Assembly polls, asserted that the BJP government would continue to work for women’s welfare and security.

“Our party has consistently supported women’s safety and women’s reservation. We are continuously working through various departments for women’s empowerment,” he said.

The BJP MLA also criticised the opposition Congress party over its stand during the Assembly discussions on the proposed legislation.

“Yesterday, everyone saw in the Assembly the kind of statements they were making. They are opposing provisions related to women, and even have problems with giving property rights to women. This clearly shows that Congress does not want women’s safety and empowerment,” Hazarika alleged.

He further claimed that the BJP government under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s leadership would continue to prioritise women’s security and rights in the state.

“We assure the people that women’s safety will always remain protected under this government. Under the leadership of Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, work for women’s welfare and security will continue,” he added.

The Assam Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a heated debate over the UCC proposal, with the ruling BJP defending it as a progressive reform while the opposition raised concerns about its implications for personal laws and minority communities.

–IANS

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