Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the BJP, saying the party has “no moral right” to speak about women’s reservation and must first confront what he called its ideological roots.
‘Burn Manusmriti, Then Talk About Women’s Rights’
Addressing a press conference, Sapkal alleged that the BJP’s thinking is influenced by texts like Bunch of Thoughts and Manusmriti, which he claimed promote gender inequality and caste hierarchy.
“The BJP should first burn Bunch of Thoughts and Manusmriti and then speak on women’s reservation,” he said.
He further challenged the party to demonstrate its commitment to women’s empowerment by making a structural change in the RSS.
“If they have courage, they should ask Mohan Bhagwat to step down and appoint a woman as the RSS chief. Only then can they claim to respect women,” Sapkal added.
Questions Over Women’s Reservation and Delimitation
Sapkal said the women’s reservation law passed in 2023 had support from all political parties, accusing the BJP of politicising the issue instead of implementing it.
He also alleged that the Centre’s approach to delimitation reflects a “hidden agenda” to divide the country.
“The Opposition understood this conspiracy and stopped the BJP from pushing a divisive agenda,” he claimed, adding that the ruling party was not genuinely committed to women’s representation.
Invokes Legacy of Savitribai Phule
Referring to social reformer Savitribai Phule, Sapkal said those who opposed women’s education in the past belonged to the same ideological stream he associates with the BJP.
“When Savitribai Phule started the first school for girls, she was attacked by orthodox elements. These are the same kinds of ideologies that the BJP follows,” he alleged.
Congress Defends Its Record
Highlighting his party’s track record, Sapkal said the Congress had historically led efforts on women’s empowerment.
“The Congress introduced 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies, which was later increased to 50 per cent. BJP should stop doing politics in the name of women’s reservation,” he said.
