By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 28 Apr: Leader of the Opposition Yashpal Arya launched a scathing attack on the state and Central governments during the special session of the Uttarakhand Assembly held here today. Addressing the House, Arya alleged deliberate delay in implementing the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023. He also claimed that the ruling party has failed to uphold the rights and expectations of women.
Speaking after the Chief Minister’s address, Arya described the issue of women’s reservation as a highly sensitive one and accused the government of indulging in rhetoric rather than real action. He observed that while the state government appears compelled to praise the Centre, the ground reality reflects a lack of genuine commitment towards women’s empowerment. Referring to the Nari Shakti Vandan framework and subsequent developments in 2026, he termed the approach as a betrayal of half the population and driven by a particular political mindset.
Arya claimed that despite expectations of sensitivity from the Union Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, especially when multiple Bills were introduced with assurances of enhanced representation for women, the actual implementation has remained elusive. He maintained that the Congress had historically played a pioneering role in introducing reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions, resulting in women now occupying positions from village panchayats to mayoral offices across the country.
The Congress leader demanded that the provisions of the Women’s Reservation Act be implemented immediately on the existing strength of seats, both in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, without linking it to future delimitation or census exercises. He said Uttarakhand should ensure 33 per cent reservation for women in the 2027 Assembly elections and urged that the same principle be applied to the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Arya criticised the Assembly Speaker’s decision to reject a resolution moved by Congress MLAs, signed collectively, seeking implementation of 33 per cent reservation in accordance with the 2023 Act. He described the move as a grave injustice to democratic norms and women’s rights, alleging that it demonstrated the government’s unwillingness to even allow discussion on the matter.
Questioning the delay in implementing the women’s reservation law, Arya pointed out that although the Women’s Reservation Bill was passed in 2023, its notification was withheld for nearly three years before being issued on 16 April, 2026. He sought a clear explanation from the CM regarding the reasons for this delay, suggesting that it raised serious doubts about the government’s intent.
Arya further referred to three Bills introduced in the Lok Sabha on 16 April, 2026 and he cautioned that in case these proposals, including a reported 50 per cent increase in seats, are implemented, Uttarakhand’s share in Parliament would decline from 0.93 per cent to 0.72 per cent. He questioned the silence of the state’s BJP MPs on the issue and asked whether they had failed to safeguard the interests of the state.
The Leader of the Opposition warned that such changes may lead to a reduction in the representation of hill regions both in Parliament and in the state Assembly and claimed that this would weaken the voice of the hill areas. He alleged that the developments indicated a larger design to marginalise the concerns of the hills.
On the issue of law & order, Arya said that women in the state are not safe, whether at home, on the streets or even in forest areas. He referred to incidents in Chamoli, Haridwar and Champawat, claiming that in several cases the accused had links with the ruling establishment, raising serious concerns about impartiality. He also criticised the lack of progress in the Ankita Bhandari case, particularly the failure to disclose the identity of the alleged VIP accused, terming it a reflection of administrative failure and complicity.
Arya further mentioned the increasing number of fatalities among women due to attacks by wild animals and claimed that the government has not taken adequate measures to address the issue. Emphasising that women require not merely assurances of reservation but also security, dignity and justice, Arya said the Congress would be compelled to intensify its agitation from the streets to the House if concrete steps were not taken.
Arya further questioned the rationale behind convening the special session when, according to him, the law had already been passed in 2023. He asked why the government had taken so long to act and whether the delay was politically motivated. He alleged that the ruling party was more concerned with preserving its political ground than ensuring rights for women.
He further argued that if the implementation of reservation is pushed to 2029 or beyond due to the census and delimitation process, it would effectively mean prolonged denial of rights to women. He accused the BJP of creating illusions and narratives rather than delivering on promises, stating that the government was making women wait indefinitely.
Reiterating his demand, Arya said that immediate implementation of women’s reservation on existing seats was the only way to honour the spirit of the 2023 legislation. He warned that failure to do so would force the Congress to launch a wider agitation across the state, both inside and outside the Assembly, to ensure that women receive their rightful share in political representation.
