Women reservation bill passed in Indian Parliament amid upcoming elections: a political agenda or progressive approach?

Women representation in public domain has always remained a questionable subject to people. In context to India, the constant rising numbers of crime against women than of policies empowering the community by administration has spoken volume about the concerns and priorities of the current leadership. But recently, introduction to women reservation bill has open gates for Indian women to change dynamics of Indian politics. The bill represents inclusivity, which was absent for years. The women’s reservation bill ensures equal participation of women in Indian parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls it a ‘guarantee’ for the country’s success. While addressing an event named ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Abhinandan’ he said that he could see the happiness on faces and that he has done one more thing to earn people trust.
He further added, ‘You sent lots of Rakhi on Raksha Bandhan, so as a brother this bill is a gift from me to you. This bill guarantees that your rights will be protected and success because when women come forward, no one can stop our country’. According to the information, parliament approved the 106th amendment to the constitution to reserve third of the seats in Lok Sabha and state legislatures. The later process requires signature of president Droupadi Murmu and 50% states to approve the amendment.
Senior women activist Sugandha R. worked largely for women in rural and urban India. Currently, she is working for under privileged women and called it a liberal approach towards improvising Indian politics. She said, ‘Well, something that should have been considered years before. I am happy that current administration tried pushing this bill to the parliament even if for political interest. At the end of the day, we are still in this fight of inclusivity, where we demand to be included in sectors where we can better the future for upcoming generation without overlooking gender inequality.’
The Prime Minister also said that those who kept delaying the women’s reservation bill for decades have now supported the bill in Parliament out of compulsion, as they were afraid of women. Women strength compelled them to support the bill, quoted Hindustan Times. Does she spot any political driven element behind this decision, Mrs. Sugandha told EAT news, ‘Yes, there is political agenda behind approving this bill in the period of time, when country is about to enter in general elections. Because if we look at the past records of ruling political party of our country such as rampant narratives against women by very famous political leaders, instances of using offensive language on public forum against the community and how the leaders including Prime Minister have avoided speaking or addressing women concerning issues, shows hypocrisy and desperation to be in power.’ She further added that as far as situation is in their favour, other perspectives do not bother her.
Female infanticide, female illiteracy, child marriage, sexual harassments, domestic violence, acid attacks and gender discrimination are the various major issues, women go through. Having a political representation of the community will push these matters forward and expects quicker actions. First introduced in 1996, the bill has been rejected six times by dominant male lawmakers. But, the question arises, when exactly it is going to be implemented? According to the available information, the implementation of bill can take years as it depends on the redrawing of electoral constituencies, a census which is said to take once in a decade. Activist Mrs. Sugandha shared her opinion, ‘The relevance of reserving certain number of seats for women holds much wider space for women leaders to act up against noted issues that we are fighting from, since years. Female leaders are always held back against male counterparts. They are never given chances, specifically in politics. I don’t see a current female leader except one or two.’
She also talked about the time frame bill will take to come in action and said, ‘It is sad that it took them years to approve this and now the kind of process we have to follow is time taking too. This is the perfect portrayal of hardships and struggle women face in a male dominating world. Why on the very first place we require such bill? Why men are allowed to have parliament seats with no restrictions and we need amendments and bills?’ It is deep rooted in history and women are paying price as time passes, according to her.
As per the information, only six countries have achieved the progressive milestone of 50% or more women in parliament in single or lower houses including United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Mexico, Cuba, Rwanda and Nicaragua. Indian administration with picking gender issue as their political agenda is trying to collect votes for upcoming elections after multiple wrongs during their tenure of work. However, passing a new women centric bill will contribute to the empowerment largely.