Nitin Nabin chairs BJP meeting on Women's Reservation Bill ahead of special parliament session
New Delhi, April 10
Bharatiya Janata Party national president Nitin Nabin is chairing a meeting at the BJP headquarters extension in Delhi today, bringing together state presidents and in-charges from across the country to chart out a nationwide roadmap on the Women's Reservation Bill.
The meeting is focused on preparing a structured plan to organise outreach initiatives across states to build awareness and support for the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act.
The development comes ahead of the Centre's plan to introduce amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Act during a special three-day Parliament session scheduled from April 16. The proposed changes aim to delink women's reservation from the pending census and delimitation exercise by utilising the 2011 Census data, thereby expediting its implementation.
If approved, the amendments could increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to around 816 seats, with nearly one-third, approximately 273 seats, reserved for women. A separate Delimitation Bill is also expected to be introduced alongside the legislation, both requiring passage as Constitutional amendments. While reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will continue, there is currently no provision for Other Backwards Classes (OBC) under the framework.
Meanwhile, political reactions have started emerging over the proposed move. Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC welcomed the initiative and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, "Where there is political will, there is PM Modi." She added that the move to implement 33 per cent reservation for women would significantly enhance their representation in Parliament.
The BJP has also intensified its outreach efforts through programmes like "Mahila Samvad," aimed at directly engaging women across urban and rural areas, spreading awareness about the legislation, and collecting feedback from citizens.
Prime Minister Modi has described the Women's Reservation Bill as a historic step toward strengthening "Nari Shakti" and ensuring greater participation of women in India's democratic process.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good move, but the elephant in the room is the lack of OBC reservation within this women's quota. It risks becoming dominated by women from already privileged sections. The bill needs more nuance.
Using 2011 census data to expedite it is a smart, practical decision. Endless delays over delimitation were holding back progress. Now, let's see the quality of candidates that come forward.
Increasing Lok Sabha seats to 816 is a massive structural change. While women's representation is vital, we must ensure this expansion doesn't become overly burdensome on the exchequer. The financial implications need clear explanation.
As a woman from a small town, I hope the 'Mahila Samvad' programs reach us and our voices are heard. Reservation is one thing, but we need support systems and training for women who wish to enter politics. 🚺
Historic step indeed. My only request is that this should not remain just a numbers game. The women who get elected must be true representatives, not just proxies for male family members. The spirit of the law matters.
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