The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a government resolution supporting the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam after an intense debate lasting more than nine hours, with the opposition staging a walkout before the conclusion of proceedings. The special one-day session, convened to deliberate on women’s reservation, witnessed participation from members across party lines, including women legislators. Speaking during the debate, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the session reflected the state’s commitment to women’s empowerment. He emphasized that women have always been accorded respect in Indian society and highlighted the cultural and historical significance of women in Chhattisgarh. The Chief Minister referred to several prominent women personalities from the state and the country, stating that their contributions have brought recognition and pride. He said the legislation passed in Parliament in 2023 aims to ensure 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, and urged all members to support the resolution in the larger interest of women’s representation. Sai also criticised the opposition for opposing the bill at the national level over the issue of delimitation. He argued that delimitation would expand representation and make constituencies more manageable, allowing elected representatives to connect more effectively with people. He said the opposition’s stand had disappointed citizens and appealed for support to the resolution to address public sentiment.

 

Highlighting welfare initiatives, the Chief Minister pointed to several schemes aimed at improving the socio-economic status of women, including financial inclusion, housing, health services and livelihood opportunities. He said self-help groups have empowered women at the grassroots level and noted that thousands of women are now financially independent, with the government aiming to further increase their participation in economic activities. Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant presented a contrasting view, stating that the Congress supports women’s reservation but opposed linking its implementation to delimitation. He said if the provision had been implemented immediately, women could have benefited in upcoming elections. Mahant argued that the Congress has historically played a key role in advancing women’s rights and leadership in the country. He cited legislative measures enacted during earlier governments to ensure equality and social justice for women, and maintained that his party has consistently prioritised women’s empowerment beyond symbolic gestures. He also questioned the intent behind the resolution and suggested that the state government should reflect its commitment by increasing women’s representation within its own cabinet and governance structure. The debate saw sharp exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches, with both sides defending their respective positions. The opposition eventually walked out, alleging that their concerns were not adequately addressed. Despite the walkout, the resolution was passed by voice vote, marking a significant development in the state’s political landscape.