While replying to the Motion of Thanks on President's Address in Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Opposition for indulging, according to him, in 'selective politics' over atrocities against women, which he said was a very serious issue.
He particularly zeroed in on the issue of selective outrage and termed the phenomenon as one that worried him. PM Modi referred to the incident of Sandeshkhali in Bengal during his speech in the Rajya Sabha.
In a viral video showing a horrible case of flogging in West Bengal, where a woman was brutally beaten up with no one coming to save her, PM Modi had said, "People of big parties have remained silent over the incident. Those who call themselves women safety champions and progressive women leaders have not spoken up; maybe because of political reasons".
PM Modi said that India had made strides in women's development, adding, "While even developed nations do not talk much about women-centric progress, India has made big strides in this sector. There is some change which is visible everywhere."
The Prime Minister warmly thanked Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murthy for her interest in the issues of women's health. He also brought up all that had been done by this government on their welfare since the last ten years, be it on women's health, sanitation, and well-being.
"From toilets to sanitary pads, gas connection, and vaccination facilities during pregnancy, these have benefitted women from all parts of the country," he asserted.
Assuring that the government is committed to changing lives through several initiatives which have been taken to make women 'Aatmanirbhar', PM Modi pointed out that most of the four crore houses built were for women.
"Opening of bank accounts has facilitated women, including those in villages and small towns, to draw benefits under various schemes such as Mudra, Sukanya, and Samruddhi, thereby increasing their role in financial decision-making within and outside their households," he added.
PM Modi referred to the role of Self-Help Groups and said nearly one crore women have succeeded in getting economic independence because of them, and their number is proposed to be increased to three crore. It is not only for women's empowerment, but his government wants women to be empowered in every sector, he said.
The 'Namo Didi' program has been initiated so that women get easy access to new technologies.
"Now, women in rural areas are flying drones to assist farmers and are playing a crucial role in their development," PM Modi explained.
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