Title: Historic Women’s Reservation Bill Tabled in Indian Parliament
Subtitle: Long-debated legislation aims to provide 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies
Date: [Insert Date]
Byline: [Author Name]
NEW DELHI – In a significant move towards gender equality, the much-debated Women’s Reservation Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies on [Insert Date]. The bill, titled ‘Narishakti Vandan Atheeniyam,’ or Act to Worship Feminine Power, aims to provide a 33% reservation for women in the country’s legislative bodies.
The bill’s introduction marks a historic moment in India’s parliamentary history, as efforts to pass this legislation have been ongoing for over three decades. Introduced for the first time in 1989, the bill initially sought to reserve one-third of seats for women in rural and urban local bodies. Despite multiple attempts, it failed to pass in the Rajya Sabha.
In the years that followed, various governments and political leaders attempted to push for the bill’s passage. It was finally passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2010 but failed to garner support in the Lok Sabha. Currently, women make up only 15% of the Lok Sabha and less than 10% in state assemblies.
The introduction of the bill in the new Parliament building comes as the country celebrates the 75th anniversary of its establishment in 1948. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his support for the bill, emphasizing the need for increased female participation in the country’s development.
However, opposition parties have raised concerns about the timing of the bill’s introduction, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using it for political purposes ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The Lok Sabha was adjourned after the bill’s introduction, and a debate on the bill is expected to take place in the coming days.
If the bill becomes law, it will lead to a significant increase in the number of women in the Lok Sabha. Currently, there are 81 women MPs, and this number is expected to rise to 181 once the bill is implemented.
However, the bill’s implementation may face significant challenges. It states that reservation will come into effect only after the census is conducted and constituencies are redefined. As a result, the reservation is unlikely to impact the upcoming state assembly and Lok Sabha elections, and its full effect may not be felt until 2029.
The bill has garnered support from most parties, but concerns have been raised about the exclusion of reservation for Backward Classes, Tribals, and Dalits. The Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal are among the parties opposing the bill on these grounds.
As the bill awaits parliamentary discussion and further deliberations, its passage would be a significant step towards achieving gender equality and empowering women in Indian politics.