A group of Congress women MPs has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of displaying "fear" by skipping a crucial parliamentary debate on women's safety, penning a strongly worded letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla demanding accountability. The letter, signed by prominent figures including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's colleague and women's wing leaders, highlights Modi's unexplained absence during a session addressing rising crimes against women across India, framing it as a deliberate evasion of national responsibility.
The controversy erupted last week when the Lok Sabha scheduled a special discussion on the surge in gender-based violence, prompted by high-profile cases in states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Congress MPs, led by women representatives such as Pramila Biswas and Anto Antony, used the platform to grill the government on its handling of the Women's Reservation Bill and implementation of safety measures. Modi's no-show, they argue, not only undermined the gravity of the issue but also signaled a lack of commitment from the top leadership, especially as BJP MPs defended the record of schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
In their letter to Speaker Birla, the Congress women MPs wrote, "The Prime Minister's absence was an act of fear, a refusal to face the truth about the deteriorating safety of women under his government's watch." They urged the Speaker to ensure Modi's presence in future sessions and called for a dedicated time slot for women's issues, invoking parliamentary traditions of accountability. The missive also referenced stalled legislation, noting that despite the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, its implementation remains delayed until after the next census and delimitation.
The BJP swiftly dismissed the allegations as "cheap political tactics" ahead of state elections. Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani countered in a press briefing, stating that Modi's packed schedule included international diplomacy and that the government has empowered women through initiatives like self-help groups and triple talaq bans. Party spokesperson Sambit Patra accused Congress of hypocrisy, pointing to the UPA era's record on women's safety statistics.
This episode underscores deepening fault lines in Indian politics over gender justice, where rhetoric often clashes with action. As Parliament reconvenes, the letter could galvanize opposition unity, pressuring the NDA coalition to prioritize women's bills amid public outrage over recent atrocities. Analysts suggest it may also test Modi's image as a champion of women's empowerment, forged during campaigns like his 2019 rally pledges, against the backdrop of uneven progress on the ground.
