New Delhi, Sept 19: Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on September 19 tabled a long-awaited women’s reservation bill, known as the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam,’ in the Lok Sabha. This bill aims to reserve 33 percent of seats in the Lok Sabha and all state legislative assemblies for women, a move aimed at enhancing women’s participation in Indian politics.
The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, was introduced in the Lok Sabha through a supplementary list of business, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to empower women in Indian politics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the Lok Sabha, highlighted the historical significance of the Women’s Reservation Bill. He mentioned that discussions on this bill had been ongoing for a long time. During Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s regime, the Women’s Reservation Bill had been introduced multiple times, but it couldn’t secure enough majority support to become law. As a result, this significant initiative remained unfulfilled.
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However, Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to bring this crucial bill forward. He stated, “Today, God has given me the opportunity to take this forward.” He emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting women’s participation in both houses of Parliament.
The Women’s Reservation Bill has been a longstanding demand of various political parties and civil society groups. Opposition parties, in particular, have been urging the government to prioritize and pass this bill. The Indian National Congress, during its Hyderabad Congress Working Committee meeting, passed a resolution advocating for the bill’s implementation, underlining its importance in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in Indian politics.
The bill’s introduction in the Lok Sabha is a significant step toward achieving gender parity in India’s legislative bodies. It aims to address the underrepresentation of women in Indian politics and provide them with a stronger voice in the decision-making process. If the bill becomes law, it will mark a historic milestone in India’s journey toward achieving greater gender equality and women’s empowerment.
