Lucknow, April 19 -- Union Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the opposition over women's reservation, calling April 17 "a black day of the 21st century" and accusing the INDIA bloc of taking an anti-women stance.

Addressing a conference here, Devi said, "April 17 will be known as a black day of the 21st century. Now is the time to politically empower women. This (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam) was for the representation of women in state assemblies and the Lok Sabha."

She further stated, "Crores of women were looking towards the Lok Sabha with eyes full of hope. But due to the anti-women stance of the INDIA alliance, they voted against it. They have not only killed the bill but also b...