As both Houses of Parliament convened for the first time in the newly inaugurated Parliament building, the spotlight turned to the Women’s Reservation Bill, also known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. The bill, which promises to allocate one-third (33%) of seats for women representatives in the lower House of Parliament and state assemblies, sparked a lively debate between members from the ruling Centre and the Opposition.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Women’s Reservation Bill during the session, marking a significant moment in Indian parliamentary history.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
The Women’s Reservation Bill aims to introduce three new articles and one new clause in the Indian Constitution:
- Article 239AA Clause: This clause specifies that one-third of seats reserved for scheduled caste (SC) individuals will also be reserved for women. Additionally, one-third of the total number of seats filled by direct elections will be designated for women, including seats in the Delhi legislative assembly.
- Article 330A: This article outlines the reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, with one-third of seats reserved for SCs and STs also being allocated to women. Similarly, one-third of the total seats filled by direct elections to the Lok Sabha will be reserved for women.
- Article 332A: This article extends the reservation for women to every state Legislative Assembly, with one-third of seats reserved for SCs and STs being earmarked for women. Additionally, one-third of the total seats filled by direct elections to the Legislative Assembly will be reserved for women.
- Article 334A: A new article, this provision specifies that the reservation will come into effect following the delimitation process after the relevant figures for the first census are published. Subsequently, the rotation of seats for women will be implemented after each subsequent delimitation exercise.
Sonia Gandhi to Lead the Debate:
Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, is poised to take the lead as the primary speaker for her party during the debate on the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. This move underscores the Congress party’s commitment to addressing the issue of gender representation in the country’s legislative bodies.
Debate and Controversy:
The introduction of the Women’s Reservation Bill sparked heated exchanges between the ruling BJP-led Centre and the Opposition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of greater female participation in policy-making, highlighting the historic significance of September 19.
However, the Opposition, led by the Congress, criticized the bill as a “total” by the BJP government and viewed it as a “huge betrayal” of Indian women. Union Minister Amit Shah retorted, accusing the Congress of merely paying lip service to women’s reservation without genuine commitment.
The debate intensified further when Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, raised concerns about the representation of women from weaker sections within political parties. This comment prompted a sharp reaction from Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who condemned any attempt to insult or differentiate between women based on their background.
As Parliament continues to deliberate on this pivotal bill, the discourse surrounding women’s representation in India’s legislative bodies remains at the forefront of political discussions. The Women’s Reservation Bill, if enacted, holds the potential to reshape the country’s political landscape, promoting inclusivity and equal participation in governance.
