Public Dialogue of Women's Reservation Bill @Chennai on 21 Jul 2019 - 5 MPs participated

What is Women's Reservation Bill?  

The Women's Reservation Bill or The Constitution (108th Amendment) Bill, 2008, is a pending bill in the Parliament of India which propose to amend the Constitution of India to reserve 33% of all seats in the Lower house of Parliament of India, the Lok Sabha, and in all state legislative assemblies for women. The seats were proposed to be reserved in rotation and would have been determined by draw of lots in such a way that a seat would be reserved only once in three consecutive general elections.

The Rajya Sabha passed the bill on 9 March 2010.  However, the Lok Sabha never voted on the bill. The bill is still pending as it never went to the Lok Sabha.   In 1993, a constitutional amendment was passed in India that called for a random one third of village council leader, or pradhan, positions in gram panchayat to be reserved for women.

There is a long-term plan to extend this reservation to parliament and legislative assemblies.Its opponents consider this preferential treatment of women in India as discrimination against them in admissions to schools, colleges, and universities.

Why is it not presented in the floor of Parliament by Governments at Power so far.?    A Public Dailogue on the Womens Reservation Bill in Chennai on 21 Jul 2019

“You can tell the condition of the nation by looking at the status of women.” - Jawaharlal Nehru

“Na Stree Swathantryam Arhati”  - Manusmriti,   Meaning - Woman is undeserving for independence.This phrase reflects our whole attitude  towards women in our country.   Those following Manusmriti has been consistently opposing the WRB.

Ms.Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, honourable Member of Parliament in her keynote address mentioned that this is the only bill pending from passing for the longest period in the parliament.   Sharing of Power is always a question as Power represent authority to take decisions and make changes which will not be beneficial to men.  Seat sharing does have physical challenges even during the UPA government period.  Manifestos of NDA always included the WRB, however, not a single time it was passed in any session of Parliament and it is sad that this is not in agenda of the current session of the Parliament as well.   

There is no response to voices of the people.  Today with 78 women MP’s, it is only 14% in Parliament.   The need for this Women’s Reservation Bill as 108^th amendment to the Constitution will give assured seats/ party tickets for even contesting by the women.    Every law is a problem to someone, and women need to decide on what they want and fight for it.    With the WRB kind of legislations in place, women will be able to voice out for stricter laws against crimes on women like Rape etc. 

"The Bill that every party promises and none pass,"

as DMK MP Kanimozhi eloquently said,

was my power packed Saturday at Loyola college.

VCK MP Ravikumar's words were memorable, Dalits & women have similar standing - lesser among equals by birth, and underserved in political power.

And as Thamizhachi rightly said, political power is a woman's right, not ask.

Dr Ranjana Kumari pointed out that when we say a Bill is tabled there is usually no actual document presented. This one, strangely enough, was presented as a document and torn. And again, and again! Until the ensuing ruckus stalled the bill for 9 years now.

2 MPs from the DMK, Kanimozhi & Sumathy (ThamizhachI), VCK MP Ravikumar and INC MP Dr Jayakumar accepted our demand to raise the #WomensReservationBill in this first session of Parliament.

The ball moves, nay inches towards the goal post ...

Chennai, July 20th 2019.   (Written by Tara Krishnaswamy of Politcal Shakthi)

Merits of Women's Reservation Bill

1.      It will increase the number of women members in Parliament and state assemblies.

2.      Issue related to the women will get much more priority in the Parliament and can be resolved easily.

3.      The abusive and bad atmosphere of the Parliament and state assemblies can become better.

4.      Gender Equality in parliament leading to women empowerment

5.      Provide women with much needed opportunity to come out and participate in political activities

6.      Give women a chance to play an active role in the governance of the country- giving women of India a level playing field in politics and raise their status adn efficiency in the same

7.      Everyone will respect women in our country. Management of Parliament will be better because of the managerial skills of women.

8.      Equal access to participate in social and political activities. Decision making in economic life and politics of the nation.

9.      It will eliminate the gender discrimination in the Parliament.

10.  Rapid improvement in the lifestyle of women.

11.  Full advancement to women in legislation.

12.  Easier to access the democratic functioning for women.

13.  Women in the Parliament will act as a complement to men.