20th September 2023, Mumbai: Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi has thrown her party’s weight behind the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, calling for its immediate implementation. In her speech, she passionately advocated for the inclusion of an OBC (Other Backward Classes) quota within the reserved seats, aligning with the aspirations of many. She emphasized that passing the bill would be a realization of the dreams of her late husband, Rajiv Gandhi.
Soniya Gandhi questioned the prolonged delay
Addressing the Lok Sabha, Gandhi questioned the prolonged delay in enacting the bill, which has been under consideration for the past 13 years. She expressed concern over further postponement, asking, “How many years? 2, 3, 6, 8? How many years?” Her reference was to a provision in the bill stipulating that political reservations for women would take effect after the delimitation exercise (which cannot occur before 2026) and the completion of the decadal census originally scheduled for 2021.
Soniya Gandhi paid tribute to the strength and resilience of women in India.
Gandhi made a resounding plea for immediate implementation, emphasizing, “The Congress wants this bill to be implemented immediately. But along with this, SC, ST, and OBC women should get reservation. Along with this, the caste census should also be conducted. Any further delay in implementing this bill will be an injustice to women. It must be implemented at the earliest.” In her inaugural speech in the new Parliament session, Gandhi paid tribute to the strength and resilience of women in India. She stated, “Women in India never thought about her own profit and worked like a river to benefit everyone. It is impossible to understand the patience of a woman. She has made us intelligent and hard-working.”
Gandhi also reflected on the historical context of the bill
Gandhi also evoked the legacy of iconic Indian women leaders, including Sarojini Naidu, Sucheta Kriplani, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, and Aruna Asaf Ali, who played pivotal roles in the country’s independence movement. She noted, “Women worked shoulder to shoulder with men in the Independence war and for making a new India. Sarojini Naidu, Sucheta Kriplani, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, Aruna Asaf Ali worked hard to realize the vision of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, and Maulana Azad.” Gandhi also reflected on the historical context of the bill, highlighting that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had initiated the first bill for women’s quota in municipal bodies and panchayats. She stressed, “Rajiv Gandhi’s dream was half-realized; it will be fulfilled after this bill is passed.”
landmark legislation in the current special parliamentary session
The Union cabinet recently approved a Constitution amendment bill to provide reservations for women in national and state legislatures, marking a significant step toward introducing this landmark legislation in the current special parliamentary session. The bill seeks to address a longstanding demand for increased representation of women in legislative bodies, although previous attempts faced obstacles due to political divisions.
In an effort to ensure broad-based representation, some have called for subcategories within the women’s quota, including provisions for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes—a consideration that has gained traction among regional parties. As the debate on the Women’s Reservation Bill unfolds in the Lok Sabha, Sonia Gandhi’s impassioned support adds momentum to this historic legislative endeavor.
By Yashika Desai