Opposition parties don’t respect women: Rahul Gandhi

TUMKUR: AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi made a strong pitch for women's empowerment at his rally on Sunday, and said it's the only way for the country to become a superpower.

Addressing a women's rally at Tumkur, 70km from Bangalore, Rahul said the country today was half a superpower because women had not been given equal status. "India will not become a superpower if women aren't given opportunities. We need equal representation for women at all levels to make them empowered," he told a mammoth gathering. Rahul, who is also co-chairman of the Congress campaign committee for the LS polls, was here on a two-day tour.

Chanting the women empowerment mantra, he was critical of his own party. "Men outnumber women at this rally. This is the situation the Congress is facing today. Men are preferred over women while giving tickets for assembly and Lok Sabha elections. This has to change and I want more women to attend rallies and participate in the election process," he said.

The AICC vice-president said his idea of change includes giving women an equal chance in politics -- in panchayats, assemblies, Parliament -- and more visibility. "We want to use your strength in the progress of this country. We want to open doors for women, doors of schools, hospitals and Parliament; without you, there's no progress," was his message to women.

Stating that women shouldn't be browbeaten if they have to feel secure, Rahul gave an analogy from his childhood. "As a 12 year old, I was small-built. A 16-year-old heavily built boy in school would bully me. After some years, I also grew big and it was the bully's turn to run away. I felt secure as there was no more trouble. Women should also feel secure in the country and be able to walk on the streets at any time of the day and night, and take buses too. I want them represented in every sector. I want them to feel safe, enjoy freedom and be fearless," he said.

Rahul attacks BJP's ideology

In an apparent attack on the BJP and RSS, Rahul said: "Opposition parties do not respect women. Even their ideology has no place for women. You know what their leader says and does. I don't have to elaborate."

Listing out various welfare programmes of the UPA, like MG-NREGA and the Food Security Bill, he said the Congress had introduced the law to give 50% reservation for women in panchayats.

Lauding Karnataka's success in the formation of women's Self Help Groups, Rahul said the Uttar Pradesh government had also implemented it.