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Linking women's rights to religious quota betrayal of nation: Yogi Adityanath
In a May 1, 2026 report, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused the Opposition of using religious reservation to deprive women of rights, calling it a betrayal of the nation. He reaffirmed BJP's opposition to religion-based quotas while highlighting women's empowerment measures and schemes under PM Modi, and noted improvements in UP's economy and female participation. The report also references the April 17, 2026 Lok Sabha defeat of the Constitutional 131st Amendment Bill regarding women's reservation.
Why It Matters
The remarks illustrate the ongoing political clash over women's representation and reservation policy in India, underscoring how parties frame gender issues within a broader debate on religious and caste-based protections.
Timeline
2 Events
May 1, 2026 — Yogi Adityanath addresses women’s reservation and related policies
May 1, 2026
In remarks reported on May 1, 2026, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condemns the Opposition for allegedly using religious reservation to deprive women of rights, calling it the greatest betrayal to the country. He reiterates BJP’s stance against religion-based reservation, cites that the Parliament is currently deliberating women’s reservation, and notes that the country should not repeat past partitions. He claims UP’s economy has grown threefold and that women’s participation in the workforce has risen from 13% to 36%. He cites that 30 crore bank accounts were opened for women under Jan Dhan, toilets under Swachh Bharat, and 65 lakh PM Awas Yojana houses were provided (many in the name of women). He highlights PM Stand-Up India, PM Start-Up, and PM Digital India schemes as benefiting women, and that about three crore women are on the path of economic empowerment via the Lakhpati Didi scheme. He points to the 131st Amendment Bill’s failure in the Lok Sabha on April 17 and accuses opposition parties of opposing women’s reservation while appearing to demand it in different forums.
April 17, 2026 — Lok Sabha defeats Constitutional 131st Amendment Bill
April 17, 2026
During the division of votes on the Constitution (131st) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha, 298 members voted in favour and 230 against it. The bill aimed to fast-track 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies from 2029 and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816. A two-thirds majority of those present and voting (352 of 528) was required for passage. The article notes that opposition parties and debates around delimitation influenced the proceedings.