Women take to streets over defeat of Reservation Bill

Political tempers flared in the national capital on Saturday as thousands of women took to the streets, protesting the failure to pass the proposed women’s reservation legislation in Parliament. The demonstration, led by senior BJP leaders, saw over 10,000 women gathering near Motilal Nehru Marg before marching towards the residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Apart from Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the march towards the residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was led by prominent MPs including Hema Malini, Bansuri Swaraj and Kamaljeet Sehrawat.

The protest also saw participation from women MPs across states such as Manju Sharma, Dharmshila Gupta, Laxmi Verma and Maya Narnolia, along with Union Minister of State Raksha Khadse and Anupriya Patel.

Among other senior leaders present were Manoj Tiwari, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate, who joined the gathering in solidarity with the protesters.

The mobilisation extended beyond MPs to include several grassroots and organisational leaders.

The protest, which began as a rally, escalated when participants broke through police barricades and moved towards Sunehri Bagh. Delhi Police intervened near Sunehri Masjid roundabout, using force to disperse the crowd as some protesters attempted to burn an effigy. Several leaders, including Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, MPs Kamaljeet Sehrawat and Bansuri Swaraj, were detained and taken to Parliament Street Police Station.

Addressing the gathering, Sachdeva accused opposition parties of blocking a “historic opportunity” for women’s empowerment. “Leaders of the opposition are like a royal family who cannot see beyond their own households. They have worked to deprive half the population of their rightful share,” he said.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta termed the development a betrayal of women’s aspirations. “What kind of victory did Congress and Samajwadi leaders see in the defeat of women that they were celebrating?” she asked, adding that the bill had been stalled repeatedly for decades.

Former MP Manoj Tiwari said the opposition’s stance was disappointing but expressed hope for resolution. “If not today, then tomorrow, this issue will be resolved,” he said. Actor and MP Hema Malini accused the opposition of resisting women’s progress. “They could not tolerate women moving forward shoulder to shoulder with men,” she said.

Echoing similar views, MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat alleged that the Congress had once again displayed an “anti-women mindset,” while MP Bansuri Swaraj said women were now demanding a role not just as voters but as policymakers.

Protest at CAIT Summit

In a separate demonstration, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also registered her protest at a summit organised by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), where she wore a black band to mark dissent over the bill’s failure.

Calling the development “deeply disappointing,” Gupta said the inability to pass the legislation amounted to a denial of dignity and equal rights for women. “As a woman Chief Minister, this is not merely political, it is about dignity and sensitivity,” she said, adding that a crucial opportunity to ensure women’s participation in decision-making had been lost.

The event saw strong reactions from women entrepreneurs, who raised slogans and criticised the Opposition for blocking the legislation. Gupta emphasised that women across sectors, from startups to small businesses, are increasingly leading India’s growth story and must have equal representation in policymaking.