Breaking: Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam- Women's Reservation Bill Passed In Lok Sabha
In the third day of the Parliament Special Session, the Lok Sabha has passed the Women's Reservation Bill providing 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies with 454 votes in favour and 2 votes against it. During the discussion today, the opposition strongly demanded a quota within a quota while seeking a caste census to be conducted. The five-day special session began on September 18, 2023 and will conclude on September 22, 2023.
The opposition, at the outset, extended support to the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, saying that it should rather be passed immediately without any delay, as the women have been waiting for the last 13 years. However, the opposition also vehemently opposed the bill calling it a "sham" and a farce, stating that the women belonging to the Other Backward Communities (OBC) and minority community remain excluded. The bill during the discussion today was also called a "jumla", which was strongly opposed by the government. Furthermore, as the discussion progressed, it was even called a 'distraction bill' and an 'anti-Muslim women' bill. During the debate, Sardar Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru were also blamed for 'deceiving' Indian Minority. However, the same was directed to be deleted from the records by the Speaker.
The government on the other hand, justified the bill calling it an important and landmark step towards empowering women in the country. The opposition was instead asked as why did they not make an attempt in the last 27 years, if they cite an urgency now.
Yesterday, the new Parliament Building witnessed the introduction of its first bill in the Lok Sabha, a bill that was pending for nearly 27 years- the Women’s Reservation Bill.The bill was introduced in the Special Session of Parliament after the proceedings were shifted to the new Parliament Building. The Members walked from the old building to the new building, led by the Prime Minister.
It is also to be noted that yesterday, after PM Narendra Modi appealed to the public at large, not to forget the old building as it has witnessed the historic moments and the legacy of various leaders, the old Parliament building has been renamed as “Samvidhan Sadan" .
The Union Law Minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal, introduced the Bill as the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to it as the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam'. The statements and object of the bill reads, "In order to enable greater participation of women as public representative in policy making at State and national level, it is decided to introduce a fresh legislation for Constitutional amendment to provide for, as nearly as may be, one-third of total seat in the House of the People, the legislative assembly of every State and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi to be reserved for women".
Referring to unsuccessful attempts made in the past to bring the law, PM Narendra Modi said, “think God chose me to carry on such auspicious tasks”. The Prime Minister also said, “Women are progressing in many fields, and are even leading them, therefore it becomes even more important for them to contribute in the policy making as well”.
