New Delhi [India], January 22: On the 10th anniversary of the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ initiative, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge raised critical questions regarding the government’s approach to women’s safety and the allocation of funds for media advertising.
Kharge criticized the BJP-led government, accusing it of a “save the criminals” policy instead of focusing on “saving the daughters.” Taking to X, Kharge asked, “Why did the BJP adopt a policy of ‘Save the criminals’ instead of ‘Save the daughters’? When will justice be served to the women of Manipur? Whether it is the Dalit daughter of Hathras, the daughter of Unnao, or our champion female wrestler, why has the BJP consistently protected the criminals?”
Kharge further pointed out the alarming rate of crimes against women, asking, “Why are 43 crimes against women recorded every hour in India? Every day, 22 crimes are registered against women and children, particularly from vulnerable Dalit-tribal communities. Despite Modi ji’s repeated speeches on women’s safety at the Red Fort, why is there a discrepancy between his words and actions?”
The Congress President also questioned the use of funds under the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ initiative, asking, “Why was nearly 80% of the total amount allocated for the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ scheme spent only on media advertising until 2019?”
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his appreciation for the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ movement, celebrating its 10 years of progress. In a post on X, Modi described the initiative as a “people-powered” movement, praising the participation from all walks of life. He emphasized that the movement has worked towards eliminating gender biases and ensuring that the girl child has access to education and opportunities to fulfill her potential.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the efforts of the community and organizations in improving the historically low child sex ratio, stating, “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao has been instrumental in overcoming gender biases and creating an environment where girls have the chance to achieve their dreams.”
The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme has made substantial strides in improving the lives of girls in India by focusing on areas like improving the sex ratio at birth, enhancing access to education, promoting healthcare, and supporting women’s economic empowerment. As the initiative enters its second decade, the focus will be on implementing inclusive policies, strengthening community participation, and ensuring long-term progress towards gender equality and empowerment.