Women’s Reservation Bill: In a momentous occasion for Indian democracy, both houses of Parliament have unanimously passed the Women’s Reservation Bill, also known as the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.’ In a heartwarming development, the Rajya Sabha extended its support with 215 members voting in favor, closely following the Lok Sabha’s endorsement a day earlier.
With a sense of deep historical significance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi joyfully hailed this achievement as a pivotal milestone in our nation’s democratic voyage. He appreciated all the Rajya Sabha members who stood by the bill and supported the mindset of women’s rights, highlighting its crucial role in empowering women across India. The main objective of the bill is to set aside one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women.
Women’s Reservation Bill
This legislative achievement is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first successful bill passed in the new Parliament building. After receiving approval from both houses, the bill will now be presented to the President for final consent, officially enacting the 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Lok Sabha passes Women's Reservation Bill granting 33% seats to women in Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies
— ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2023
454 MPs vote in favour of the bill, 2 MPs vote against it pic.twitter.com/NTJz449MRX
While the bill enjoyed unanimous support, some opposition members expressed concerns about the timeline for implementation. The full implementation depends on conducting a census and delimitation, which, according to Article 82 of the Constitution, can only occur after 2026. This timeline could potentially delay complete implementation until 2029 or later. Nonetheless, the government has shown its willingness to kickstart the census and delimitation process after the upcoming general election. This may require a constitutional amendment to enable earlier implementation.
Importance of Women’s Reservation Bill
Tackling the persistent problem of women’s discrimination in Indian politics, the approval of this bill points out as a substantial step forward in the journey to attain gender equality. Even though women make up nearly half of all registered voters, they presently occupy only 15% of parliamentary seats and 10% in state assemblies. While the bill’s full realization may require further deliberations and actions, its approval signifies a crucial step toward bridging this gender gap.
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Additionally, the Rajya Sabha’s acceptance of this bill serves as a significant boost for Prime Minister Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), especially as there’s an environment of national elections coming soon in the year 2024. Even though India has made some progress in addressing women’s issues, our society still predominantly leans as well as believes toward male supremacy. This bill serves to act as a gender representation in politics which is a vital step for enhancing gender equality and creating a more comprehensive form of governance.
India’s alignment with the global endeavor to enhance women’s involvement in legislative bodies places it in the company of nations that have achieved noteworthy progress in this regard. Although the precise implementation plans and schedules are yet to be finalized, the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill represents a momentous achievement. It serves as a testament to the shared dedication to advancing women’s empowerment in Indian politics.
