Dehra Dun, Feb 20 (PTI) Women activists and NGOs have slammed the BJP government in Uttarakhand for expelling three women district panchayat heads on charges of embezzlement of funds.
A host of women activists and their organisations have condemned the government''s action, saying the removal is an "anti-woman" step.
Early this year, the government had removed Haridwar panchayat unit head Ramesho Devi and chairperson of Pithoragarh Zila panchayat Ranjana Devi on various charges, including embezzlement of funds.
Later, another woman panchayat leader, Madhu Chauhan, was removed from the post of Dehra Dun zila panchayat head on charges of alleged embezzlement of funds and dereliction of duty.
Following the removal of Chauhan, the wife of former BJP MLA Munna Singh Chuahan, many women organisations and social activists came up in support of the women leaders, condemning the government''s action.
"The women leaders have become the target of corrupt bureaucrats and politicians. Chauhan was removed just because she was not toeing the government''s line," alleged Avadhash Kaushal, chairman of a Dehradun-based NGO, Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK).
RLEK, which is working for strengthening the Panchayati Raj system, said, "Women are always at the bottom of the pyramid in Uttarakhand when it comes to exercising power."
Head of the Mahila Panchayat, Usha Negi, has also condemned the action and sought the intervention of senior BJP leader L K Advani into the matter.
Significantly, the BJP''s action came at a time when the Assembly elections are just a year away and Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ''Nishank'' is working hard to drive political mileage for providing 50 per cent reservation to women in panchayat elections.
Meanwhile, Chauhan told PTI that she would move the court against her removal.
"I will place all the facts before the court and fight my battle till my last breath," Chauhan added.
When contacted, a BJP spokesman defended the action and said the actions were taken following probes ordered by the administration.
A host of women activists and their organisations have condemned the government''s action, saying the removal is an "anti-woman" step.
Early this year, the government had removed Haridwar panchayat unit head Ramesho Devi and chairperson of Pithoragarh Zila panchayat Ranjana Devi on various charges, including embezzlement of funds.
Later, another woman panchayat leader, Madhu Chauhan, was removed from the post of Dehra Dun zila panchayat head on charges of alleged embezzlement of funds and dereliction of duty.
Following the removal of Chauhan, the wife of former BJP MLA Munna Singh Chuahan, many women organisations and social activists came up in support of the women leaders, condemning the government''s action.
"The women leaders have become the target of corrupt bureaucrats and politicians. Chauhan was removed just because she was not toeing the government''s line," alleged Avadhash Kaushal, chairman of a Dehradun-based NGO, Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK).
RLEK, which is working for strengthening the Panchayati Raj system, said, "Women are always at the bottom of the pyramid in Uttarakhand when it comes to exercising power."
Head of the Mahila Panchayat, Usha Negi, has also condemned the action and sought the intervention of senior BJP leader L K Advani into the matter.
Significantly, the BJP''s action came at a time when the Assembly elections are just a year away and Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ''Nishank'' is working hard to drive political mileage for providing 50 per cent reservation to women in panchayat elections.
Meanwhile, Chauhan told PTI that she would move the court against her removal.
"I will place all the facts before the court and fight my battle till my last breath," Chauhan added.
When contacted, a BJP spokesman defended the action and said the actions were taken following probes ordered by the administration.
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