By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Mahila Congress president Reena Bourasi Setiya has said that the Indian National Congress was founded on the courage and leadership of women, and the Mahila Congress will now fight the cause of women across the state with full strength. She asserted that exploitation and atrocities against women from weaker sections would not be tolerated and that the organisation is committed to securing complete justice for “half the population”.
Addressing women during various programmes in Jabalpur, Bourasi said that on the occasion of the Congress’s 140th foundation anniversary it was important to remember the party’s legacy of women’s leadership. She recalled that the Congress was formed in 1917 under the leadership of Annie Besant with the active participation of women, later led by Sarojini Naidu in 1925, and that women under Neeli Sengupta launched the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1933. She also highlighted the role of Indira Gandhi nationally and Sonia Gandhi within the Congress in bringing women into the mainstream of public life.
Referring to recent incidents in Jabalpur, Bourasi termed the alleged humiliation of a differently-abled woman and the reported misbehaviour with a visually impaired woman during Christmas as deeply disturbing. She said these incidents exposed the state government’s failure to protect women’s dignity and accused it of hesitating to take strict action against the accused.
Bourasi said the Mahila Congress would show zero tolerance towards those who disrespect women and would intensify its struggle across the state. During her visit, she also met victims, participated in party programmes and interacted with prominent intellectuals in Jabalpur.
