Calling upon women to defeat Narendra Modi and N. Chandrababu Naidu in the elections next year, Rajya Sabha Member and vice-president of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) Brinda Karat on Wednesday said gender inequalities were rampant in the last four and a half years and women were subjected to harassment and rape in different parts of the country every day. “More than 2.5 lakh cases of harassment against women were reported last year alone and needless to say the number is quite alarming. It is time for the women to launch a strong fight against the rulers, who have been taking the women for granted,” she said at a public meeting as part of the State-level conference of the AIDWA here.
‘Manuvadi culture’
Accusing the BJP-led NDA government of implementing the plan of action prepared by the RSS and promoting ‘Manuvadi’ culture, Ms. Karat said Mr. Modi was never in favour of women. “He never spoke about women in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ and never gave importance to clear the Women Reservation Bill. “He has been treating women as secondary citizens.” There was a strategic move to bring forward the Ram temple issue before the general elections. “It is only to fuel the sentiments of the public. We appeal to the people not to fall prey to such tactics,” she said.
Referring to the administration in Andhra Pradesh, Ms. Karat alleged that Mr. Naidu was implementing the policies and practices of the Prime Minister without fail. “He is trying to project himself as a crusader against Mr. Modi. But the reality is quite contrary as he is still extending support to the Centre in a secretive manner,” she said. Expressing concern over the atrocities against women in the State, she said it was nothing but the result of the nonchalant attitude of the government. “Let us teach a lesson to the anti-women leaders and parties by casting our vote against them,” she said.