In a move that has triggered political outrage, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday blocked a proposal to install a portrait of India’s first woman teacher and social reformer Savitribai Phule in the Delhi Assembly complex. The proposal, put forward by two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs during a meeting of the Assembly’s General Purposes Committee, was not passed after BJP members refused to support it.
Slamming the BJP, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Delhi Assembly Atishi took to X and stated: “Today, in the meeting of the ‘General Purpose Committee’ of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, two MLAs of the Aam Aadmi Party proposed that a picture of Savitribai Phule be put up in the Legislative Assembly. But the BJP did not allow this proposal to be passed. Why? Because BJP is anti-Dalit, anti-women and anti-education.”
Senior AAP leader Kuldeep Kumar, along with Seemapuri MLA Veer Singh Dhingan and Seelampur MLA Chaudhary Zubair Ahmad, held a press conference at the party headquarters on Wednesday to raise the issue. Both MLAs, who are members of the General Purposes Committee of the Delhi Assembly, had formally submitted a proposal during the committee meeting held earlier in the day. The meeting, chaired by Delhi Assembly Speaker and BJP leader Vijender Gupta, was convened to discuss the installation of portraits of national icons in the Assembly premises.
Kuldeep Kumar pointed out that the Delhi Assembly is historic and previous Speakers, irrespective of party affiliation, have always ensured that portraits of great Indian personalities adorn its halls. He emphasized that AAP’s MLAs had specifically proposed that a portrait of Mata Savitribai Phule be installed within the Assembly to honor her legacy as India’s first female teacher and a pioneer in women’s education.
“Mata Savitribai Phule dedicated her life to educating women and opening the first school for girls in the country,” Kuldeep Kumar said. “Our MLAs formally presented this proposal in the committee meeting, but with deep regret, we must state that the BJP has once again shown its antagonism towards education and revered figures like Babasaheb Ambedkar and Mata Savitribai Phule.”
Kuldeep Kumar accused the BJP of systematically erasing icons who fought for equality and education. “They removed Babasaheb Ambedkar’s portrait from the Delhi Assembly premises and the Chief Minister’s office. The BJP-led central government even shifted his statue to the back of the Parliament complex. This rejection of our proposal is a continuation of that mindset,” he said.
He stressed that installing Savitribai Phule’s portrait in the Assembly would be a source of inspiration for women across the country. “Despite immense societal resistance, including attempts to shut down her schools and even physical attacks like mud being thrown on her, she never gave up. Because of her struggle, women today are becoming Presidents and fighter pilots. The BJP’s refusal to honor her is an insult to the entire female community,” he stated.
Referring to the recent release of the film Phule, Kuldeep Kumar said, “Despite opposition, the film was released and highlighted how Mata Savitribai Phule faced humiliation and yet continued to light the lamp of education. The BJP should be ashamed for disrespecting such a legendary woman. May God grant them wisdom to learn to honor her. We demand immediate acceptance of our proposal to install her portrait in the Assembly.”
AAP MLA Veer Singh Dhingan, who submitted the proposal during the meeting, expressed his dismay over the indifferent response from BJP members. “We presented the proposal sincerely, but it was brushed aside with vague assurances of ‘consideration’. Savitribai Phule sparked an educational revolution for women. Today, if women are reaching great heights, it is due to her. That is why her portrait should be the first among national icons in the Assembly,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, Seelampur MLA Chaudhary Zubair Ahmad added, “We proposed to install Savitribai Phule’s portrait during today’s General Purposes Committee meeting. Despite immense hardships, she opened a school in 1848. The BJP’s refusal to pass our proposal today exposes its anti-Dalit, anti-education, and anti-women face. We repeatedly insisted that the proposal be passed today itself, as it concerns respect for women, education, and the Dalit community. But their mindset led to its rejection. We had to fight to even get it recorded in the meeting minutes. What the BJP has done is a direct insult to the women and Dalits of this nation.”
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