New Delhi: The Women’s Reservation Bill, which proposes a 33% quota for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, was approved by the Union Cabinet yesterday, setting the stage for a contentious debate within the INDIA alliance of opposition parties. Reports indicate that this bill, distinct from its predecessors, will be introduced in the Lok Sabha later today. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reportedly called upon its female Members of Parliament (MPs) to be present in the house during the discussion and voting on the bill. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is set to introduce the bill in parliament.
While the Congress and left parties are staunch supporters of the bill, key constituents of the INDIA alliance, such as Lalu Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party, have consistently opposed it in its current form. These parties advocate for a quota for women from the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) within the proposed 33% reservation.
Notably, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), which previously opposed the bill, expressed support for it in 2010, albeit causing internal strife within the party. JD(U) joined hands with the Congress and several regional parties in demanding that the Prime Minister introduce the bill during a special parliamentary session.
In 2010, when the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India’s parliament, passed the bill, it faced vehement opposition in the Lok Sabha, the lower house, primarily from SP and RJD. These parties even withdrew their support from the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government due to their opposition to the bill. With seat-sharing already presenting challenges within the INDIA alliance, divisions over the women’s reservation bill threaten to further test opposition unity ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Congress’ parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi made her stance clear, stating that the women’s reservation bill “is ours.” Her declaration underscores Congress’s unwavering commitment to this legislation.
The Women’s Reservation Bill, originally introduced by the government led by HD Deve Gowda 27 years ago, is set to make its fifth appearance in parliament. Over the years, it has encountered multiple hurdles, including lapses due to the dissolution of previous Lok Sabhas.
The new bill proposes that one-third of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) will be designated for women from these groups. These reserved seats may be rotated among various constituencies in a state or union territory.
Parliament currently faces a glaring gender imbalance, with only 14% of women members. A similar underrepresentation exists in legislative assemblies, with women constituting a mere 10%. The need for gender parity is evident, making the women’s reservation bill a crucial step towards achieving it.
As India watches closely, the introduction of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha is expected to ignite vigorous debates and deliberations. The fate of this historic legislation hangs in the balance, with the potential to reshape the political landscape and empower women’s participation in India’s democracy.