The left liberal Media tries its best to create a narrative that the Narendra Modi led BJP government is anti-LGBTQ and anti-Women. But, the reference by our PM Modi ji lauding the women soldiers at Nimu saying “I am looking at women soldiers in front of me. On the battlefield at the border, this view is inspiring….Today I speak of your glory and commend you,” might have given sleepless nights to the left liberal gang.
Here are some facts that strongly counter the left liberal’s propaganda:
BJP and Homosexuality
They say BJP and RSS are regressive cult, they are homophobic. This is completely untrue. In it’s landmark decision on 6th September 2018, the Supreme Court abrogated the section 377, decriminalising consensual sexual conduct between adults of the same sex.
BJP welcomed the judgement. Unlike the UPA government which in 2009, argued that the abrogation of section 377 is counter-productive to the efforts of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.
BJP had a strong stand.
In 2014, BJP ‘s Mumbai chief Ashish Shelar, said, “Criminalising the gay community by misusing Sec 377 of the IPC is not acceptable to the BJP”.
In 2015, the BJP spokesperson, talking to Nidhi Razdan, in talk show on NDTV said, “We are for decriminalizing homosexuality. That is the progressive way forward.”
In 2016, RSS joint secretary in an India Today Conclave said “I don’t think homosexuality should be considered a criminal offence as long as it doesn’t affect the lives of others in society.”
He, further added, “Sexual preferences are private and personal. Why should RSS express its views on a public forum? RSS has no view on that. It is for people to have their way. Personal preference of sex is not discussed in RSS and we don’t even want to discuss that.”
BJP and Empowerment of Transgender Community
In 2015, Narendra Modi addressing NALSA on Legal Services day said, “the government needs to “change its outlook” towards them(transgenders) so they are not treated “unjustly”.
He further added, ” Can you imagine how much apathy they (transgenders) face? The almighty has given them what he had to give but who are we to treat them unjustly? We will have to develop the system… We will have to bring changes to the legal system, amend the rules. The government will have to change its outlook.
On 2nd August 2016, a bill was introduced in Lok Sabha, seeking to define a transgender and prohibit discrimination against them in education, employment and healthcare. Modiji on this day asked parliamentarians to hold rallies and meeting with the socially marginalised section, which is “looked down upon”.
He further said to the parliamentarians “Humanity is not confined to male or female. We are giving a social status to them. Go and meet them. Have meetings and rallies of such people”.
After many ups and downs , the Protection of Rights bill was finally passed on July19, 2019. The 2019 bill was a newer version of what was introduced in 2016, keeping in mind the likes and dislikes of the Transgender community.
This year, the home ministry is set to allow transgenders as ‘third gender’ into the central armed police forces. The ministry is in consultation with central paramilitary forces on including transgenders, in the recruitment examination for assistant commandants in central forces.
BJP and Women Empowerment
On 24th April, 2019, The wire in its article said ” The sanghi’s vision for Indian women is a choiceless,voiceless horde of mothers and sisters in service of a Patriachal Nation”.
Let me give them a reality check by educating about some of the most remarkable policies of NDA government, for “mothers and sisters”.
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
Rural women in India relied on biomass fuel for cooking which exposed them to various health risks.
PM Narendra Modi launched PMUY on 1st May 2016 with a target to provide free LPG cylinders in 5 crore households of India, with a financial assistance of Rs.1600 per LPG connection.
In Feb, 2018, the target of the scheme was revised to 8 crore LPG connections and was meant to be achieved by 2020. Interestingly, the target was achieved 7 months ahead of its schedule.
• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
300 million girls and women across India defecated in open, prone to health risks and sexual assault. On 2nd October, 2014, the PM of India introduced the most remarkable sanitation drive “the swachh Bharat Abhiyan” which has impacted our rural women in a very positive way.
36 States and UTs, 706 districts and 603,175 villages have been declared open defecation free as on January 2020
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Programme
Introduced in October 2014, this programme covers three main areas
1. Reducing Sex ratios
2. Bringing girl child rights to focus
3. Achieving girl child right to education
Under this scheme, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY),a small deposit scheme for the girl child was also launched on January 22, 2015 ,encouraging financial independence of women.
• The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019
India’s Muslim women’s right organizations unanimously welcomed this bill. Dr. Noorjehan Safia Niaz, one of the founders of BMMA (Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan) said, “No man will now dare to give divorce without following the due process of arbitration. It’s a relief also to many Muslim brothers and fathers who have stood by the women who faced this horrendous practice”.
When we see the facts, we realise that the BJP is not a regressive political party as it has been portrayed. It took several initiatives benefiting wider section of society including trans, gays and women in a short span of time, like never seen before.
