Leaders from various political parties expressed their backing for the Women’s Reservation Bill, emphasizing its importance for women’s empowerment. The upcoming Parliament session, starting on April 16, will focus on deliberating proposed amendments to the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged unified support for the bill through a video message.
Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai highlighted the universal acceptance of the Women’s Reservation Bill, stressing the need for genuine respect for women’s rights. Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC commended the Prime Minister’s swift action in advocating for the bill, urging all parties to demonstrate political will in its favor. She underscored the significance of the bill in ensuring 33% reservation for women MPs.
Shaina NC also pointed out the current underrepresentation of women in the Lok Sabha, with only 74 female MPs out of 543 members. She noted the government’s plan to increase the Lok Sabha seats to 816, with a substantial rise in seats allocated for women. Congress MLA Manoj Biswas emphasized the importance of both caste and gender-based reservations, citing their crucial role in ensuring inclusive participation.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Kanchanpreet Kaur emphasized the transformative impact of the Women’s Reservation Bill, highlighting women’s pivotal role in uniting society and fostering progress. However, NCP-SP MP Fauzia Khan raised concerns over past unfulfilled promises related to the bill, advocating for the rightful implementation of reservations for women across various sectors. DMK spokesperson T.K.S. Elangovan criticized the prolonged delay in passing the bill, questioning the government’s commitment to women’s representation.
