Sonia Gandhi vs. BJP Over Women’s Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha

As her husband Rajiv Gandhi had established reservation in local bodies, Mrs. Gandhi stated that speaking on the bill was an emotional experience for her

The Congress and the BJP sparred in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday during the discussion of the Women’s Reservation Bill. Former Congress leader Sonia Gandhi called for immediate passage of the bill and a reservation for Other Backward Classes, but BJP MP Nishikant Dubey accused the party of making up new demands “for political angles” and insisted that it had never discussed an OBC quota in relation to the reservation for female legislators.

As the first member of the opposition to speak on the bill, Mrs. Gandhi stated that her party supports the legislation but that the 33% quota for women should include a reservation for Other Backward Classes. She added that speaking about the bill brought tears to her eyes because her husband Rajiv Gandhi had been the first to introduce a bill on the topic of reservations for women in local bodies.

A Long Journey’

The previous head of the Congress party spoke in Hindi, “I stand here in favour of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam on behalf of the Indian National Congress. The Indian woman’s trip has been a long one, taking her from smoke-filled kitchens to stadiums lighted by floodlights. However, she has now arrived at her goal.

“Speaking on this bill is an emotional moment for me because the constitutional amendment providing reservation for women in local bodies was first tabled by my husband, Rajiv Gandhi,” she said, stating that women fought shoulder to shoulder with men in the fight for independence and the creation of a new India. It was passed by a Congress government led by PV Narasimha Rao. Rajiv Gandhi’s ideal has only been partially realised thus far, and it will be completed with the passage of this bill.”

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Even though her party backs the legislation, Mrs. Gandhi claimed that women are being expected to wait longer to receive their rights. “Two, four, or eight years will they have to wait? Is this accurate? The bill must be put into effect right now, according the Congress’ requests. Additionally, a caste census must be carried out, and a reservation must be established for women from the SC, ST, and OBC populations. The government should take all necessary actions in this regard. It would be a grave injustice to women to delay this.

BJP Hits Back

Nishikant Dubey, a member of the BJP, pointed out that the bill already contains a provision for reservation for women from the SC and ST communities. He claimed that the Congress and the Opposition were upset that the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had the guts to do so after waiting all these years to do so.

“The Prime Minister has stated that this is the best time to pass the measure. We applaud him for convening this special session to put this law on hold and treat women in this country with dignity, he said.

“This country runs on the Constitution,” Mr. Dubey blasted the Congress. They have been congratulating themselves for adding a female reservation in panchayats and local authorities. They never mentioned or made provisions for OBC reservations. They are raising fresh issues from political perspectives.

“You are now advising that the reserve be implemented beginning in 2024 (without conducting the Census and delimitation). Do you favour the cancellation of the reservation? Do you want us to use the women’s reservation as you did as a lollypop? The PM asserts that he completes what he begins. And no one can stop women from receiving their rights now that the bill has been introduced, he continued.

The constitutional amendment bill, which was presented to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, proposes to grant women nationwide 33% of the seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures. It is anticipated that both Houses will approve it with the help of certain opposition members, including the Congress.