Panaji: The Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao on Friday accused the BJP government of using a dilly-dally approach towards bringing law to end widow discrimination. Congress leader Yuri Alemao said that one year has passed to his Private Members Resolution in this regard, but Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Women and Child Development Minister Vishwajit Rane have failed to keep their promises. “I had moved a resolution on March 31, 2023 recommending the government to stop the unjust customs of widow discrimination, widow abuse, disrobing dead bodies during funerals and widow isolation in the State. After assurance from the government to bring the bill, I had withdrawn the resolution. However the ‘draft’ of the bill seems to be stuck due to red-tapism in the Directorate of Women and Child Development,” Alemao pointed out. “Minister Vishwajit Rane should check what is happening in his Women and Child Development department. He has failed to bring legislation in the monsoon session, which he had assured in the house when I had moved the resolution,” Alemao said. “Our sisters and daughters of this state should not suffer or meet any humiliation. Hence, the government should stop obsolete and archaic religious practices,” Alemao said. According to him, widows should be treated on par with married women. “They should get the same treatment and respect which married women get,” he said. “Womenfolk from the state have welcomed my recommendations. Also, Goa’s famous Radio Jockey from All India Radio Usha Yogrjaj Naik, wife of renowned musician late. Yogiraj Naik Borkar, has set an example by performing religious rituals at her daughter’s wedding. When there is acceptance from women, what stops the government to end widow discrimination,” he questioned. “After I moved the resolution, we witnessed unanimity in the house. It was also backed by BJP legislators Delilah Lobo and Deviya Rane, but this insensitive BJP government is not ready to respect even its own women legislature’s voice,” Alemao said. He demanded that the government should come up with this legislation in the next assembly session. ‘”If the government fails again then it will be evident that BJP doesn’t respect women and they don’t wish to empower them,” Alemao added.
