Historic Women’s Reservation Bill Approved by Union Cabinet.

Historic Women's Reservation Bill Approved by Union Cabinet.

Asif Iqbal | September 18, 2023 | 05:14 PM IST | Breaking News, Delhi, Politics | Follow on Google News

Historic Women’s Reservation Bill Approved by Union Cabinet.

pic/NDTV

New Delhi: In a groundbreaking move, the Union cabinet has given its nod to a bill aimed at ensuring the reservation of 33 per cent seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. This momentous decision comes after years of deliberation and debate surrounding the issue of women’s representation in India’s political landscape.

A Courageous Step Towards Gender Equality

Union Minister Pralhad Singh Patel expressed his support for this landmark development, lauding the Modi government for its moral courage in addressing the long-standing demand for women’s reservation in politics. He took to Twitter to announce the news, stating, “Only the Modi government had the moral courage to fulfill the demand for women’s reservation. Which was proved by the approval of the cabinet. Congratulations @narendramodi ji and congratulations to the Modi government.

“Anticipation Builds Over “Historic Decisions”

The decision to approve the Women’s Reservation Bill was met with high anticipation, primarily fueled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier statement regarding “historic decisions” to be made during this special session. Prior meetings involving key ministers, including Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, further heightened expectations.

Resolution of a Long-Standing Issue

The Women’s Reservation Bill, drafted in 2008, had remained dormant since its passage by the Rajya Sabha in 2010, never making its way to the lower house. While both the BJP and the Congress have consistently supported the bill, it faced opposition from various parties and demands for quotas for backward classes within the women’s quota.

Political Push for Gender Parity

Ahead of the parliamentary session, opposition leaders and factions such as the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party had strongly advocated for women’s reservation. This issue was also raised during the proceedings of the special session.

Addressing Gender Disparities in Politics

During discussions on the “Parliamentary Journey of 75 Years,” Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge drew attention to the gender imbalance in parliament, highlighting that women constitute only 14 percent of parliamentarians, with an even lower representation in legislative assemblies, at just 10 percent.

A Proud Legacy and a Call for Acknowledgment

Responding to criticisms from the BJP, Nationalist Congress Party’s Supriya Sule reminded the audience of the Congress’s legacy of prominent female leaders who had broken barriers in Indian politics. She emphasized, “The Women’s Reservation Bill was brought by the Congress, unfortunately, we did not have the numbers and we could not get it passed.”

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.