The introduction of the Womens Reservation Bill in Parliament by the PM Modi-led government on Tuesday during the special session of Parliament has drawn strong reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. In reaction to the Bill, Union Minister Smriti Irani called the BJP “a pioneer of intra-party resolution” for passing the Bill. She also took a dig at the Congress and the Gandhis for allowing the Bill to lapse due to the lack of unanimous support. “The Gandhi family is only interested in empowering the women in their family. They are not interested in empowering the Dalit or poor women. This is a political gimmick for the opposition because the opposition and the Congress did not give reservation to women even when they were in power,” Irani said.
On Monday, following the Union Cabinet’s decision to clear the Bill, Bharat Rashtra Samhiti leader K Kavitha said: “I am elated, I am very happy and I am on cloud nine dancing away but also worried a little bit.” She said she was “cautious” as to what would be the format of the bill “or will it be the same one passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2008.”
Meanwhile, the Congress’ parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday said the women’s reservation bill “is ours”, amid speculation that the bill may be tabled in Parliament. Asked about the bill when she was entering Parliament on Tuesday, Mrs Gandhi said, “It is ours, apna hai.”
BSP supremo Mayawati on Tuesday said her party will support any bill that allows reservation for women in Parliament and other legislatures, even if the party’s demand for a quota for the SC, ST and OBC within that quota is not met. On the other hand, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was not so optimistic. “Women’s reservation should be a balance of gender justice and social justice. In this, reservation for backward, Dalit, minority, tribal women should be clear in definite percentage form,” Akhilesh posted on X, echoing his party’s long-held ideas of a “quota within quota” that led the SP, along with the RJD and JD(U) to oppose the Bill.
Actors Kangana Ranaut and Esha Gupta who attended the “special session” as women invitees during the introduction of the women’s reservation bill, welcomed the Centre’s move, terming it “historic” and a reflection of the “progress of the country.”
As for regular citizens, a NewsX ground survey found that an overwhelming majority (92.47%) of respondents expressed support for the Women’s Reservation Bill. Of these, 83.67% were in favour and only 5.87% opposed it. According to the survey numbers, 30.36% expected less commotion and more work in legislative bodies after the Bill came into effect. Meanwhile, 11.48% believed it would lead to cleaner and more accountable politics and 8.42% thought it would enhance the credibility of Indian democracy globally.
When asked who should receive credit for passing the Women’s Reservation Bill, respondents had varied opinions: 35.59% attributed it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while 4.86% mentioned Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and 3.31% acknowledged the women who had long advocated for it.
