New Delhi (Agency): Former Chairman of Madhya Pradesh Women’s Commission and Congress leader Shobha Oza has criticized the state government’s insensitivity towards the issue of approximately 2 lakh women missing from the state between 2019 and 2021. Oza expressed dismay over the government’s lack of action despite the alarming number of missing women and girls, as per data presented by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament.
In the midst of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s frequent mentions of “Ladli Bahna” (Beloved Sister) and “Ladli Lakshmi” (Beloved Goddess Lakshmi), Oza highlighted that Madhya Pradesh ranks highest in the country in terms of missing women. According to the data shared by Amit Shah, around 13.13 lakh women have gone missing in the country during the three-year period, out of which approximately 2 lakh are from Madhya Pradesh, including 1.60 lakh women and over 38,000 minor girls.
Oza accused the Madhya Pradesh government of being indifferent to the issue and failing to address the alarming rate of disappearances. She further criticized the state for topping the charts in malnutrition, atrocities against women, and human trafficking cases. While Union Home Minister Amit Shah praises Chief Minister Chouhan during his visits to the state, Oza demanded that he confront Chouhan about the concerning number of missing women and girls in Madhya Pradesh.
Moreover, reacting to Shah’s praise of Madhya Pradesh during a rally in Indore, Oza challenged the BJP’s performance in the state and questioned the need for frequent election campaigns if the government was indeed performing well. She remarked that the elections should not be contested based on the Chief Minister’s face but rather on the party’s symbol, indicating the need for substantial improvement in governance.
As the issue of missing women remains unresolved and raises serious concerns about women’s safety and security, Oza’s strong criticism highlights the urgent need for the Madhya Pradesh government to address the matter seriously and take appropriate measures to protect its women and girls.