THE long-awaited Women Reservation Bill has been introduced in the special session of Parliament on Thursday with an assertion from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that “Respect for our mothers and sisters is respect for the nation.” The Bill seeks to ensure 33 percent reservation of seats for women in Parliament and state legislatures from the next general election in 2029 – and initially for a period of 15 years. After this, it could periodically be extended for more years. It is envisaged that the number of MPs in Lok Sabha would increase to 850 from the present 545. Alongside, the government plans to come up with the Constituency Delimitation Bill 2026, which would also be effective from the next general elections. Both are interlinked. However, the government is bringing up an amendment to the 2023 Act that linked women reservation to the next Census, by giving a linkage instead to the (last) 2011 Census, so as to speed up the matter. The present Census exercise ostensibly takes time for its completion.
The women reservation plan has been under discussion for years. While local bodies have been granted a reservation of 33 per cent– or up to 50 per cent, across states, this is now being elevated to a higher level. The Modi government is keen on passing the women reservation bill right now also as it could likely benefit it in the present round of elections to the assemblies of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu etc, while the Assam and Kerala polls were over in one phase. Chances are that the bill will be passed in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha without much hassle this time and turn into law. A two-thirds majority is a must for its passage in both houses. A promise is also that the quota for women would not affect the existing general seats; and that this would be accommodated in the delimitation-related increase in the parliament seats. While the Opposition has raised issues like a sub-quota for BCs, alongside SCs and STs, it cannot afford to fight the present bill as this would create a negative image for the Congress and others, among the women voters. At the same time, elections are never fought on one issue, per se.
Women emancipation and empowerment are essential requirements for any advanced society. However, in India, these concepts are limited largely to the upper segments of the population. Women from ordinary families continue to suffer in multiple ways. They face discrimination at home and in public life. Legislations in the past have however improved their social conditions to an extent. With one-third reservations offered to women in top representative bodies like Parliament and assemblies, the time has come for them to hold the reins of governance in more significant ways. That will have a trickle-down effect, helping empower women across segments. Their sense of dignity and bargaining power would increase. Women are already performing well as people’s representatives under the Panchayat Raj systems, which is reassurance that their heightened role in governance of states and the nation would be along the right lines.
