The Navyandhra Rachaitrula Sangham (Narasam) objected strongly to the State government's decision to omit the names of prominent women from the new districts' names.
Tella Aruna, the honorary president of Narasam, said, “though the State government announced formation of 13 new districts and even the names, not a single district was named after any prominent women from the State, who participated in freedom struggle or made their own mark in various fields.”
She recalled that all political parties have repeatedly stated that 33 percent of legislative seats should be reserved for women, but this has never been implemented. At least five districts should be named after prominent women, according to Aruna.
GV Poornachand, the association's honorary president, believes it is a reasonable demand, given that women have recently achieved greater heights in all fields. He urged Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to meet with women's organisations and name some districts after notable women.
It was made clear by Narasam assistant secretary Samineni Sailaja that the demand was not for political reasons, but for women's self-respect. She urged all political parties and civil society organisations to support the demand.
Vaishnavisri, a Narasam executive member, stated that women should not be discriminated against. There are a number of outstanding women in the Telugu State who should be honoured by having their districts named after them.
V Jhansi Durga, treasurer Beeram Aruna, honorary adviser Maa Murthy, and others from the Narasaram Prakasam district also attended.
