Bollywood personalities have shown support for the Women’s Reservation Bill. Actor Suniel Shetty emphasized the importance of initiatives benefiting women, such as education, reservation, and protection. Riteish Deshmukh, gearing up for his film ‘Raja Shivaji’, expressed his backing for any positive developments for women in the country.
Isha Kopikar, a self-proclaimed feminist, lauded the bill, advocating for merit-based opportunities for both genders. Arya Babbar also praised the move, considering it a positive development. Casting director Mukesh Chhabra, upon learning about the bill, expressed gratitude for the information.
The Women’s Reservation Bill, officially known as the 106th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023, has been enacted. It mandates a 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, with sub-reservations for women from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The law’s implementation is tied to the next delimitation exercise post the first census after its enactment.
The bill aims to enhance women’s political representation in India, addressing the historical low participation of females in legislatures. After several unsuccessful attempts since 1996, the bill received bipartisan support and was finally passed by both houses of Parliament. This legislation is viewed as a significant structural reform in India’s democratic system, setting a precedent for high female quotas in political structures.
