Akhilesh Yadav criticizes BJP over women's safety and reservation bill

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding women's safety and the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill, 2023. During a press conference in Lucknow, Yadav cited the 2020 Hathras gang-rape case to challenge the BJP's 'Nari Vandan' (honouring women) rhetoric.

Yadav questioned why the central government has not yet implemented the passed Women's Reservation Bill, suggesting it should be enacted by the next election. He also highlighted that the '1090' women's helpline service, which was recently showcased to a Japanese delegation, was originally established during the Samajwadi Party's tenure. As part of his party's upcoming platform, Yadav announced a pledge to provide Rs 40,000 annually to women if the SP wins the 2027 assembly elections.