Prime Minister Modi’s Call for Unity
In his address, Prime Minister Modi described September 19 as a “historic day” and urged the Opposition to join hands in passing the bill named ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.’ This legislation has been pending for nearly three decades.
A Crucial Step for Women’s Empowerment
Prime Minister Modi emphasized the significance of this decision, stating that it marked the beginning of opening doors for women in the new Parliament building. He announced the government’s commitment to bringing an important constitutional amendment bill, advancing the cause of women-led development.
Empowering Democracy with ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’
PM Modi highlighted that the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ would further empower Indian democracy. He called upon lawmakers to support this crucial bill, acknowledging the debates and discussions that have surrounded women’s reservation in the past.
Addressing Gender Disparities
Currently, women constitute nearly half of India’s 950 million registered voters, but their representation in Parliament is only 15 percent, with state legislatures at about 10 percent. The Women’s Reservation Bill, once approved, will significantly increase the number of women MPs in the Lok Sabha, from the current 82 to 181.
Political Credit and Counterclaims
While Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury credited his party for the women’s quota bill, Union Home Minister Amit Shah countered the claim, stating that the bill had already lapsed.
Key Highlights of the Women’s Reservation Bill
The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, introduces several key provisions:
• Reserved Seats in Delhi Legislative Assembly: Seats shall be reserved for women in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, with one-third of the seats reserved for women and one-third of the total seats filled by direct elections also reserved for women through parliamentary law.
• Reservation for Women in Lok Sabha: The bill reserves one-third of the seats for women in Lok Sabha, including seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) and one-third of the total seats filled by direct elections to Lok Sabha.
• Reserved Seats in State Legislative Assemblies: Women will have reserved seats in every state Legislative Assembly, with one-third of the seats reserved for women and one-third of the total seats filled by direct elections also reserved for women.
• Implementation and Rotation: Reservation will come into effect after the delimitation following the first census figures’ publication. Seat rotation for women will take effect after each subsequent delimitation exercise.
A History of Efforts
This historic day signifies a significant step forward in achieving gender equality and women’s participation in Indian politics.
