| 20 September 2023
| Christie Anto
New Delhi, India - In a significant move towards advancing gender equality and political representation for women in India, Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi threw her weight behind the Women's Reservation Bill during a recent parliamentary session. Her passionate endorsement of the bill, which includes a sub-quota for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), marked a historic moment in India's political landscape.
Initiating the debate on the bill on behalf of the Congress party, Sonia Gandhi made a compelling case for the immediate implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill. She emphasized that any delay in its execution would constitute a grave injustice to Indian women, highlighting the urgent need to remove all obstacles hindering its passage.
"This is an emotional moment of my own life as well. For the first time, Constitutional amendment to decide women's representation in local body elections was brought by my life partner, Rajiv Gandhi. It was defeated in Rajya Sabha by 7 votes," stated Sonia Gandhi during her speech. "Later, the Congress government, under the leadership of PM PV Narasimha Rao, passed it in Rajya Sabha. As a result, we have 15 lakh elected women leaders across the country through local bodies. Rajiv Gandhi's dream is only partially complete. It will complete with the passing of this Bill."
Sonia Gandhi's poignant recollection of her late husband's efforts to promote women's political participation underscored the long-standing commitment of the Gandhi family to gender equality in Indian politics.
The Women's Reservation Bill, officially named the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam,' was introduced in the Lok Sabha during a special parliamentary session. The bill seeks to provide a 33 percent reservation for women in both the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. However, it's important to note that the legislation will come into effect only after the next delimitation exercise, which is expected to occur after the first census following 2026.
Sonia Gandhi's endorsement of the bill has injected renewed enthusiasm into the ongoing debate surrounding women's political empowerment. Her call to address the obstacles preventing the bill's passage reflects the urgency and importance of creating a more inclusive and representative political landscape in India.
During her speech, Sonia Gandhi also paid tribute to pioneering women leaders who played pivotal roles in India's struggle for independence, including Sarojini Naidu and Aruna Asaf Ali. This acknowledgment served as a reminder of the historical contributions of women to the nation's growth and development.
As the debate over the Women's Reservation Bill continues, Sonia Gandhi's support has rekindled hopes for its swift implementation. With her powerful endorsement and the broader political consensus emerging in favor of the bill, India may be on the cusp of a transformative moment in its quest for gender equality and political representation.
The Women's Reservation Bill, if enacted, will not only fulfill the dreams of Rajiv Gandhi but also pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable political system, where the voices of women, particularly those from marginalized communities, can be heard and respected at the highest levels of government.
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