New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) Union Minister Giriraj Singh launched a sharp attack on the INDIA bloc on Monday, accusing opposition parties of denying women their rights and asserting that public anger is now being reflected through a planned “Jan Akrosh” rally by women.

Referring to the recent political developments around the Women’s Reservation Bill, Giriraj Singh said, “The parties in the INDIA bloc led by Congress, including Trinamool Congress, RJD, Samajwadi Party, and DMK, celebrated after taking away women’s rights on that day. Now, women are set to hold a ‘Jan Akrosh’ rally in the coming days and express their outrage. The way you stopped them from their rights, the whole nation and the women have seen it.”

Joining the criticism, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh said the opposition has been exposed on the issue of women’s empowerment.

He stated, “The Women’s Reservation Bill was a historic step. By opposing it, the Congress party has reinforced its old image of being anti-women. Women across the country have now recognized the face of the Congress party. They are outraged and their protest is obvious.”

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary also reacted strongly, saying public anger against the opposition was natural.

“It is natural that the opposition’s attitude towards the Women’s Reservation Bill is being seen as condemnable, which has certainly caused anger among women, as reservation for women is a demand of the present time. In Bihar, Nitish Kumar had already implemented reservation in Panchayati Raj institutions and municipal bodies…, ” he said.

The political remarks come in the backdrop of heightened tensions following the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2026 in the Lok Sabha, which sought to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament. The Bill failed to secure the required two-thirds majority, triggering a sharp exchange between the ruling NDA and the Opposition INDIA bloc.

Earlier in the day, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also strongly criticised the Congress over the issue, saying the party must “face consequences” for opposing the legislation and claiming it had created a “black spot” on its record regarding women’s rights.

The controversy has now become a major political flashpoint, with the ruling alliance projecting it as a betrayal of women’s empowerment, while the opposition continues to defend its stance on the constitutional amendment.

–IANS

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