In a momentous turn of events, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will spearhead the deliberations surrounding the Women’s Reservation Bill within the hallowed chambers of the Lok Sabha today. The government’s recent introduction of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, a legislative measure earmarking a substantial 33% of parliamentary and state assembly seats for women, has ignited a fervent discussion within India’s political landscape.
The Women’s Reservation Bill, originally introduced by the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government in the Rajya Sabha back in 2008, achieved passage in 2010. However, its journey to the Lok Sabha for deliberation was halted. It is noteworthy that this bill was a cornerstone of electoral pledges from the BJP in both the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a resolute call to action, implored members of both houses of Parliament to extend their unanimous support to this monumental bill, underscoring its potential to fortify the bedrock of Indian democracy. “The Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam will further strengthen our democracy. I congratulate mothers, sisters, and daughters of the nation for Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam. I assure all mothers, sisters, and daughters of the nation that we are committed to making this bill into a law,” PM Modi affirmed.
The Women’s Reservation Bill is poised for a rigorous debate as the House convenes at 11 am. Notable speakers representing the BJP, including Nirmala Sitharaman, Smriti Irani, Bharti Pawar, Aparajit Sarangi, Sunita Duggal, and Diya Kumari, will articulate their perspectives on this transformative legislation.
On the flip side, the Opposition has characterized the bill as an ‘election jumla’ (political rhetoric) and raised pertinent questions about the absence of reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and a concrete implementation timeline. The Congress party contends that the Women’s Reservation Bill will not take effect until after the conclusion of a national census and constituency delimitation.
Notably, the promised 33% quota for women in parliament and state legislatures may not materialize until 2029, according to insider information from NDTV. Implementation hinges on the completion of the first constituency delimitation post-bill enactment, anticipated around 2027, as this redrawing process only aligns with the subsequent national census.
Simultaneously, in the Lok Sabha, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is slated to introduce the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023. This crucial amendment aims to facilitate reservations in promotions for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in government employment. Additionally, Mr. Meghwal will present the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023, seeking to amend the Advocates Act, 1961.
The Women’s Reservation Bill debate stands as a pivotal moment in India’s legislative history, with the outcome poised to shape the nation’s political landscape for years to come.
