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Indian National Congress party president, Rahul Gandhi, has written a letter to the country’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. He has challenged Modi to rise above politics and stand up for women’s rights. Gandhi shared a copy of his letter on Twitter.

On July 16, @RahulGandhi tweeted: “Our PM says he’s a crusader for women’s empowerment? Time for him to rise above party politics, walk-his-talk and have the Women’s Reservation Bill passed by Parliament. The Congress offers him its unconditional support. Attached is my letter to the Prime Minister.”

It was retweeted over 6,000 times and liked by more than 16,000 people.

Including Congress supporters, many Twitter users agreed with Gandhi.

@kallgorr tweeted: “I have never supported Congress but this is the first time that I am standing by Mr. Rahul Gandhi. Time to act Prime Minister Ji. #MahilaAakrosh”

Using the hashtag #MahilaAakrosh, the women’s wing of the Congress party reminded Modi of his, “commitment to the women of the nation #WomenFor33 and again assuring him of his (Rahul Gandhi’s) support to the cause”.

@MahilaCongress also tweeted: “India has a poor record of women representation in legislature. This is the time to act so that women are able to contest maximum number of seats in next election. We demand the passage of women reservation Bill. #WomenFor33”

Modi, in the 2014 election manifesto for his party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had promised 33 per cent reservation for women in parliament and in assemblies. The party had also pledged to launch a national campaign to save the girl child and provide quick relief to rape victims.

The manifesto read: “BJP recognises the important role of women in development of the society and growth of the nation, and remains committed to give a high priority to women’s empowerment and welfare. BJP ruled states have demonstrated this through various schemes.”

It additionaly said that the BJP recognises the need for women’s security as a precondition to women’s empowerment.

According to The Telegraph, an Indian English daily newspaper: “The Congress chief’s letter came on a day his party released a ‘chargesheet’ against the government, accusing it of ‘total failure’ in empowering women and ensuring their safety.”

The bill has been in the freezer since it was passed in the Rajya Sabha in March 2010.

Rahul Gandhi in his letter to Modi seeked passage of the long-pending women’s reservation bill in Parliament’s upcoming monsoon session.

Supporting this tweep @Prof_Sevak posted: “It is time we, men come out in support of #WomenFor33 and #EqualPay.”

However, a few were not in favour of reservations of any sort.

@PulkitK14877160 tweeted: “Giving reservation to women is not women empowerment. Its about giving right opportunities and security to women so that they can become self dependent and become a part of growing India.”

@reachShivaani tweeted: “I don’t understand how is empowerment = reservation? Any kind of reservation kills the merit of the person. We need more equal treatment not reservation.”

Tweep @_pd5 added: “I’m typically not in favour any reservation, but electoral politics in India is a male dominated area and it is not easy for women to establish their presence. But if we’re anyhow determined to bring this bill, let’s ensure this can be eased in future. Merit should be preferred.”

Some tweeps who believe Modi is a misogynist, felt that the Prime Minister will not do much for women empowerment.

@SanjeevaniPage posted a video compilation of statements by Modi to show examples: “Well, here are few instances where @narendramodi behaved as a true crusader for women empowement.”

The video shows Modi mocking Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury in the Rajya Sabha (upper house of the Parliament of India), his reported statement on Sonia Gandhi and his remark about Indian politician Shashi Tharoor’s wife, Sunanda Pushkar, calling her a “50-crore girlfriend”, among other comments.

And @PranabC74013869 tweeted: “Misogyny is one of many principles of BJP.... Modi’s comments and smiles during some gatherings prove it.”

However, Modi supporters listed women welfare schemes launched by the BJP.

Narendra Modi’s Cabinet has six women ministers. The party launched schemes like the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme (2015) to prevent gender biased education; the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana seeking to provide free LPG connections to women at below poverty line (BPL) households; the One Stop Centre Scheme, providing centres to support women affected by violence, in private and public spaces, within the family, community and in the workplace among 12 other schemes, listed by the Ministry Of Women and Child Development website.

Congress and those against BJP ideology said these schemes were unsuccessful. @nsui_live posted: “PM Modi’s commitment to women’s empowerment is limited to lip service. A mere 5 paise per child has been allocated under the the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme. #MahilaAakrosh”

In 2017, a report presented by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development stated that: “Nearly 90 per cent of the funds allocated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship programme for the girl child, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, remained unutilised.”