Cong slams J&K govt for allegedly disempowering women at a presser in Jammu

Jammu: The Congress party on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Jammu and Kashmir government, accusing it of systematically disempowering women through its policies.
Addressing a press conference in winter capital Jammu the National Media Coordinator of Congress Dolly Sharma along with PCC General Secretary Namrata Sharma cited several examples of the government’s “anti-women” decisions, including the stopping of widow pensions, the installation of digital meters, the hike in power tariffs and domestic gas, and the installation of water meters.
These moves, she argued, have disproportionately affected women, who are already struggling to make ends meet.
“The BJP-led government’s obsession with digital meters and water meters has turned into a nightmare for women, who are forced to bear the brunt of increased expenses,” Sharma said.
“The hike in power tariff has made electricity unaffordable for many households, pushing women to rely on traditional and hazardous methods for cooking and lighting,” she said, and she mentioned that women were forced to stop trains to force the administration to provide them with drinking water.
Sharma also slammed the J&K administration for its failure to set up a women’s commission in the region.
“The absence of a women’s commission is a stark reminder of the government’s apathy towards women’s issues,” she said, adding, “Women in J&K are left vulnerable and without a platform to voice their concerns.”
Sharma accused the “BJP-led government” of paying lip service to women’s empowerment while undermining their rights and interests.
“The government’s claims of empowering women ring hollow when its policies are actually disempowering them,” she said.
“The Congress party stands in solidarity with the women of J&K and will continue to fight for their rights and empowerment,” she said.
She also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence on the martyrdom of soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir.
Despite the recent surge in terror attacks and the sacrifice of brave soldiers, the Prime Minister has not uttered a single word of condolence or support, she said.
“It is shocking and unfortunate that the Prime Minister has not deemed it fit to speak on the martyrdom of our brave soldiers. This silence is a slap in the face of their families and a betrayal of their sacrifice,” she said.
Sharma further accused the BJP of consistently insulting the national tricolour and said, “The BJP’s actions have always been at odds with the values of our national flag. They have used it for political gain, but when it comes to upholding its values, they are found wanting.”
“The Congress party stands with the families of the martyred soldiers and will continue to fight for their rights and dignity. We will not let the BJP’s insensitivity go unchallenged,” she said.