Dehradun.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the “Mahila Jan Aakrosh Rally” held at Parade Ground on Friday. He also joined thousands of women in a protest march from Parade Ground to Ghanta Ghar, reflecting significant public participation.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the “Nari Shakti Vandan Act” was introduced to ensure greater representation and rights for women in the democratic system. However, he stated that the bill could not be passed in the Lok Sabha due to a lack of numbers, alleging that the opposition deliberately obstructed it, thereby denying women their rightful representation.
He emphasized that women across the country have become increasingly aware of their rights and will continue to raise their voices against injustice. Calling the obstruction of the bill “a grave injustice,” he said it reflects poorly on those who hinder efforts aimed at women’s empowerment.
Highlighting central government initiatives, the Chief Minister noted that schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ujjwala Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana, and Startup initiatives have empowered millions of women socially and economically. He also cited the “Lakhpati Didi” initiative and the abolition of the triple talaq practice as significant steps toward strengthening women’s status in society.
He added that, inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision, women today are excelling in every field and reaching top constitutional positions. He referred to the rise of leaders such as Nirmala Sitharaman as examples of women being entrusted with key responsibilities at the national level.
At the state level, the Chief Minister said that the Uttarakhand government is committed to women’s welfare and empowerment. Measures such as 30 percent reservation for women in government jobs and the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code have been introduced to safeguard their rights and enhance security.
He further stated that initiatives like the Rural Livelihood Mission, “Sashakt Bahna Utsav Yojana,” and the “Chief Minister Women Self-Help Group Empowerment Scheme” are helping connect women with self-employment opportunities. According to him, more than 265,000 women in the state have already become “Lakhpati Didis.”
The event was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt, MP Mala Rajyalakshmi Shah, MLAs Savita Kapoor, Asha Nautiyal, Renu Bisht, Ruchi Bhatt, Deepti Rawat, Neha Joshi, Himani, Rashmi Rastogi, and a large number of women participants.
