The Ganges glides past the ghats of Varanasi like a silver ribbon, its waters whispering centuries of devotion. On its banks this week, another kind of devotion takes center stage—not to the divine, but to the political. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the Jan Akrosh Mahila Sammelan, a massive women’s conference that promises to be less a gathering and more a statement. Fifty thousand women, we’re told, will descend on the ancient city, their saris a riot of color against the sandstone temples. But what does this spectacle truly signify? Is it empowerment, or is it theater? The answer, as always in Indian politics, is more complicated than the headlines suggest.
The Gathering Storm: Why Varanasi, Why Now?
Varanasi isn’t just another stop on the campaign trail. It’s Modi’s parliamentary constituency, a city where mythology and modernity collide. The BJP has long positioned itself as the party of vikas (development), but in recent months, its messaging has taken a sharper turn toward women’s issues. The Jan Akrosh Mahila Sammelan—loosely translated as the “People’s Anger Women’s Conference”—isn’t just about celebrating women’s achievements. The name itself is a tell. “Akrosh” implies frustration, a collective voice demanding change. And in a country where women’s labor force participation has stagnated at a dismal 20% (per World Bank data), frustration is an understatement.
Navratan Rathi, the BJP’s media in-charge for the Kashi region, confirmed the scale of the event: “We expect at least 50,000 women from all walks of life—farmers, entrepreneurs, homemakers, students—to participate.” But the numbers, while impressive, only scratch the surface. The real story lies in the timing. With general elections looming in 2029, the BJP is doubling down on its women’s vote bank, which has been slipping. In the 2024 elections, the party lost ground among urban women, particularly in states like Maharashtra and Karnataka, where opposition parties successfully framed the BJP’s policies as anti-women (CSDS post-poll survey). This conference is a counteroffensive.
The BJP’s Women Problem: A Data-Driven Reality Check
For all its talk of women’s empowerment, the BJP’s track record is mixed. On one hand, schemes like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child) and Ujjwala Yojana (free LPG connections for rural women) have been widely publicized. On the other, critics argue these programs are more about optics than systemic change. A 2025 report by the Oxfam India found that while 80% of rural women in Uttar Pradesh had heard of Ujjwala, only 30% could afford to refill their cylinders regularly. The gap between policy and reality is stark.
Dr. Ranjana Kumari, director of the Centre for Social Research in New Delhi, puts it bluntly: “The BJP has mastered the art of symbolic politics. They hold these massive rallies, they grant speeches about women’s rights, but when it comes to actual legislation—like the Women’s Reservation Bill, which has been pending for decades—they drag their feet. This conference is no different. It’s a photo op.”
“The BJP has mastered the art of symbolic politics. They hold these massive rallies, they give speeches about women’s rights, but when it comes to actual legislation—like the Women’s Reservation Bill, which has been pending for decades—they drag their feet. This conference is no different. It’s a photo op.”
Yet, to dismiss the Jan Akrosh Mahila Sammelan as mere political theater would be shortsighted. The sheer scale of the event—50,000 women in one place—is unprecedented. For many attendees, this will be their first taste of political participation. In a country where women’s voices are often drowned out in the cacophony of male-dominated politics, the conference could be a rare moment of visibility. The question is whether that visibility will translate into tangible change.
The Economic Undercurrents: Why Women’s Labor Matters
India’s economy is at a crossroads. Growth is slowing, unemployment is rising, and the informal sector—where 90% of Indian women perform—is in crisis. The Jan Akrosh Mahila Sammelan arrives at a moment when the country’s economic future hinges on whether it can harness the potential of its female workforce. According to a McKinsey Global Institute report, advancing gender equality could add $770 billion to India’s GDP by 2025. But progress has been painfully slow.
Capture the case of Varanasi itself. The city is famous for its silk weavers, a tradition passed down through generations. Yet, most of these weavers are men. Women, who do much of the unpaid labor—spinning, dyeing, and finishing the fabric—are rarely recognized as artisans. At the conference, local women’s groups are expected to demand better access to credit, training, and markets for female weavers. If the BJP listens, it could be a game-changer. If not, the conference risks becoming another hollow promise.
The Opposition’s Playbook: Why This Conference Could Backfire
The BJP’s rivals are watching closely. The Congress party, which has struggled to regain its footing after its 2024 electoral drubbing, sees the Jan Akrosh Mahila Sammelan as an opportunity. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress’s general secretary, has already announced a series of counter-rallies in Uttar Pradesh, focusing on women’s safety and economic rights. “The BJP talks about women’s empowerment, but what about the women who are being raped and murdered every day in this country?” she asked at a recent press conference. “What about the women who can’t even walk home safely after dark?”
The opposition’s strategy is clear: turn the conference into a referendum on the BJP’s failures. And they have ammunition. In 2025, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of crimes against women in the country, with over 60,000 cases reported (NCRB data). The BJP, which controls the state government, has been accused of downplaying the issue. If the conference becomes a platform for women to voice their grievances, it could backfire spectacularly.
The Global Lens: How the World Sees India’s Women’s Movement
India’s women’s movement has always been a paradox. On one hand, the country has produced some of the world’s most powerful female leaders—Indira Gandhi, Pratibha Patil, and now, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. On the other, it ranks 127th out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Report. The Jan Akrosh Mahila Sammelan is being closely watched by international observers, particularly in the West, where India’s democratic backsliding has become a growing concern.
Dr. Alyssa Ayres, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, notes: “India’s women’s movement has always been grassroots-driven, but it’s also deeply fragmented. The BJP’s attempt to co-opt this movement through large-scale events like this conference is a double-edged sword. It brings attention to women’s issues, but it also risks diluting the movement’s authenticity.”
“India’s women’s movement has always been grassroots-driven, but it’s also deeply fragmented. The BJP’s attempt to co-opt this movement through large-scale events like this conference is a double-edged sword. It brings attention to women’s issues, but it also risks diluting the movement’s authenticity.”
For the Modi government, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A successful conference could bolster India’s image as a progressive democracy. A misstep—whether in the form of a security lapse or a backlash from attendees—could reinforce the narrative of a country where women’s rights are more slogan than substance.
The Road Ahead: What Happens After the Confetti Settles?
As the sun sets over the Ganges, the women of Varanasi will return to their homes, their heads filled with promises. But what comes next? The BJP has a history of announcing grand schemes with much fanfare, only to let them fade into obscurity. The Jan Akrosh Mahila Sammelan could be different—but only if the government follows through.
Here’s what needs to happen:
- Policy Follow-Through: The BJP must move beyond rhetoric and push for concrete legislation, starting with the long-pending Women’s Reservation Bill, which reserves 33% of seats in Parliament for women.
- Economic Empowerment: Microfinance schemes and skill development programs must be expanded, with a focus on the informal sector, where most women work.
- Safety and Security: The government must address the rising tide of crimes against women, starting with better policing and faster justice.
For the women of Varanasi, the conference is more than just a political event. It’s a chance to be heard. Whether the BJP listens—or whether What we have is just another chapter in India’s long history of unfulfilled promises—remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the eyes of the world are on Varanasi this week. And the women who gather there won’t be easily forgotten.
So, what do you think? Is the Jan Akrosh Mahila Sammelan a step forward for women’s rights in India, or is it just another political spectacle? Drop your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear from you.
