MOOD India: Women Speak Out

In the latest episode of the MOOD INdia series by Hindus for Human Rights, we delve into the voices of women in and around Faizabad, a region that houses the significant Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. This episode focuses on the aftermath of the recent electoral battle where Samajwadi Party's Awadhesh Prasad triumphed over BJP's Lallu Singh.

One of the most striking aspects of this episode is how it captures the immediate and real conversations from the general population. The BJP had positioned women voters as Prime Minister Modi's shield against criticism of his government’s decade-long rule. With initiatives like the distribution of cooking gas connections and claims of improved safety for women, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has presented itself as a champion of women's interests. However, this portrayal is met with skepticism and critical insights from the women interviewed.

A recurrent issue discussed is the access to LPG cylinders. In May 2016, Modi launched the Ujjwala scheme, which aimed to supply cooking gas cylinders to every household. This initiative has been heavily advertised as a game-changer, rescuing millions of women from the burdensome reliance on coal and wood for cooking. Despite this, the reality appears more nuanced. Many cylinder recipients struggle to afford refills, raising questions about the scheme's long-term viability and effectiveness.

In addition to the LPG cylinder issues, other key concerns were prominently raised by the women in Faizabad. The skyrocketing prices of food, particularly vegetables, have put a strain on household budgets. The high cost of food is a critical issue that these women face daily, making it difficult to provide for their families. Moreover, there is a pressing need for support in building and improving housing. Many households are in dire need of better living conditions, yet the promised support has often fallen short. The wheat allowance provided by the government is also insufficient to meet actual household needs, further compounding their struggles.

Through the voices of these women, the episode reveals a significant disconnect between political rhetoric and lived experiences. A repeated sentiment among the interviewees is the perception of these schemes as politically motivated rather than genuinely beneficial. They see these programmes are not real and are just for them to vote. They’ve seen the implementation over the years.

This episode of MOOD INdia continues to provide a vital platform for real and immediate conversations, highlighting the gap between political promises and actual outcomes. The combination of issues such as gas cylinder access, food costs, housing support, and inadequate wheat allowances make these women voters clearly see the differences between promises for votes and the delivery that led to this surprising outcome in Ayodhya. It underscores the importance of listening to the grassroots voices that are often glossed over in political narratives, offering a candid look into the true mood in India.