Kiren Rijiju NEW DELHI: BJP on Saturday accused Congress of “betraying” women and slammed the party and its allies for celebrating the defeat of the Constitution amendment bill seeking to implement women’s reservation in Lok Sabha and assemblies with a 50% hike in Lok Sabha seats. “Congress smiled smugly, thumped desks and celebrated the crushing of the political aspirations of ordinary women. Congress and its allies celebrated the fact that women who have struggled for years in politics and who were only demanding 33% reservation in Parliament were denied their rights,” BJP’s Smriti Irani said. Union minister Kiren Rijiju said opposition parties have inflicted a “stain” on themselves by defeating the bill and that they will not be able to wash it away. “We are sad, but we don’t consider it a failure of the party and govt. They have hurt the women of the country. We wanted to give honour to women and empower them. We will continue to do so,” he said, terming Congress “anti-women”. Irani criticised the opposition’s stance as a reflection of a “feudal mindset”, alleging that it treats constitutional rights as political favours rather than entitlements. BJP’s Ravi Shankar Prasad criticised Priyanka Gandhi over her remarks, questioning her charge that BJP was using women for its political benefits. “Women in India can’t be treated as a commodity,” he saidEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCong, TMC, DMK Guilty’, PM Modi Blasts Oppn For Blocking Women Reservation BillIndia Summons Iran Envoy Summoned After Ships Targeted In Strait of Hormuz | WatchWomen’s Reservation Amendment Fails In Lok Sabha, Delimitation Bill Put On HoldYogi Adityanath Alleges ‘Identity Crisis’ In Bengal, Targets TMC Over GovernanceBJP Leaders Protest Outside Rahul’s Residence Over Women Quota Bill; Hema Malini, Bansuri Lead10th Indian Vessel Crosses Strait Of Hormuz Since Conflict Began”Women Were Being Used” Tharoor Backs Women’s Reservation, Warns On Delimitation Issue: “You’re Firing… After Clearance!” India-Flagged Ship’s Last Words Before Hormuz TurnbackNation Awaits PM Modi’s Address As Women Bill Fails And Hormuz Crisis Escalates‘Not A Failure Of The Government’: Why Rijiju Is Blaming The Opposition For Women’s Bill Defeat123Photostories6 healthy leaves you should add to your daily dietAkshaya Tritiya 2026: Buy these 5 things for good fortune5 grand palaces that are now world-famous museums7 factors driving real estate growth in India’s non-metro cities7 foods in your kitchen that actually came from PersiaAlia-Ranbir to Saif-Kareena: 5 celebrity weddings that completely rewrote the Indian shaadi style rulebook’The Devil Wears Prada 2′ to ‘The Odyssey,’ and more: Hollywood’s biggest 2026 Summer releases10 iconic biryani varieties in India you probably haven’t tried yetThings you should NEVER Do on Akshaya Tritiya based on your birth dateTop 5 residential hotspots in Nagpur for upscale living and long-term investment potential123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event
NEW DELHI: BJP on Saturday accused Congress of “betraying” women and slammed the party and its allies for celebrating the defeat of the Constitution amendment bill seeking to implement women’s reservation in Lok Sabha and assemblies with a 50% hike in Lok Sabha seats. “Congress smiled smugly, thumped desks and celebrated the crushing of the political aspirations of ordinary women. Congress and its allies celebrated the fact that women who have struggled for years in politics and who were only demanding 33% reservation in Parliament were denied their rights,” BJP’s Smriti Irani said. Union minister Kiren Rijiju said opposition parties have inflicted a “stain” on themselves by defeating the bill and that they will not be able to wash it away. “We are sad, but we don’t consider it a failure of the party and govt. They have hurt the women of the country. We wanted to give honour to women and empower them. We will continue to do so,” he said, terming Congress “anti-women”. Irani criticised the opposition’s stance as a reflection of a “feudal mindset”, alleging that it treats constitutional rights as political favours rather than entitlements. BJP’s Ravi Shankar Prasad criticised Priyanka Gandhi over her remarks, questioning her charge that BJP was using women for its political benefits. “Women in India can’t be treated as a commodity,” he said