India News: Modi Condemns Congress Over Women’s Quota Legislation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the primary opposition party for blocking a legislative effort to reserve one-third of parliamentary seats for women. The proposal was linked to a reconfiguration of electoral boundaries. Here are the latest updates from India on Saturday, April 18:

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed frustration after Parliament failed to approve new legislation aimed at reserving a third of seats for women. In a televised address, Modi accused the Congress party of “bhroom hatya” (female feticide) and pledged to seek the nation’s women’s approval. “Every citizen of India is watching as the dreams of our women are being shattered,” he stated. “[The] movement to empower India’s women has been halted by the self-serving tactics of opposition parties,” Modi added.

“Every citizen of India is watching how dreams of our women have been crushed,” the Indian leader said. “[The] fight for empowering India’s women has been stalled due to the selfish politics of opposition parties,” Modi added.

Despite 298 lawmakers supporting the bill and 230 opposing it, the required two-thirds majority in the lower house was not achieved. The opposition claimed they supported the quota for female legislators but argued the government had attached the bill to a large-scale boundary adjustment, which they saw as a political maneuver. The government defended the changes, citing the need to align with population shifts since the last census in 1971.

The bill would have boosted the lower house’s membership by approximately 55%, increasing it to 850 seats. Separately, India’s Ministry of External Affairs contacted the Iranian ambassador in New Delhi following an incident in the Strait of Hormuz. A statement noted the Foreign Secretary highlighted India’s concern over the recent attack on two Indian-registered ships in the strait.

“During the meeting, the Foreign Secretary conveyed India’s deep concern at the shooting incident earlier today involving two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement from India said. “He noted the importance that India attached to the safety of merchant shipping and mariners and recalled that Iran had earlier facilitated the safe passage of several ships bound for India,” the statement continued.

India announced the establishment of a 129.8-billion-rupee maritime insurance fund to ensure uninterrupted coverage amid global uncertainties. The initiative was unveiled in response to insurers withdrawing policies due to sanctions and geopolitical tensions. The pool, set to operate for a decade and potentially extended by five years, will cover all maritime risks, including machinery, cargo, and war, for Indian-flagged, Indian-controlled, or vessels with India as origin or destination.

“It will cover all types of maritime risks, including machinery, cargo, and war. It will be given to Indian-flagged vessels, Indian-controlled vessels, and those with either an origin or destination in India,” he said.

Transportation through the Middle East became perilous during the conflict, prompting ships to halt travel. “Even after the Strait of Hormuz opened, ships refused passage due to the lack of insurance,” the minister remarked. A dedicated committee will manage the pool’s creation and operations.

Bhartiya Janata Party Protests Against Opposition

The Hindu nationalist BJP staged demonstrations against the INDIA opposition bloc, which voted against the amendment to allocate seats for women in parliament and state assemblies. The ruling National Democratic Alliance accused the opposition of being “anti-women.” During a protest march to Rahul Gandhi’s residence, BJP women activists burned an effigy of the opposition leader, according to ANI.

“Entire Opposition, especially LoP Rahul Gandhi, betrayed the women of this country yesterday,” the BJP statement declared.

Authorities deployed water cannons to disperse protesters. The demonstrations were joined by Delhi’s chief minister, Rekha Gupta, and BJP figures Hema Malini, Bansuri Swaraj, Kamaljeet Sehrawat, and Manoj Tiwari. The BJP labeled the opposition’s rejection of the bill as a betrayal of women’s rights.