LANDMARK STEP IN INDIA’s HISTORY
Congress, left parties and opposition BJP on Tuesday welcomed the introduction of a
bill in the Rajya Sabha proposing 33 percent reservation in Parliament and state
legislatures but the Samajwadi party said it would oppose the bill.
SP members, who tore copies of the bill introduced by law minister inn the Upper
House, said they would continue to oppose it toll the deprived sections and minorities
get their share of quota within the proposed 33 percent reservation for women.
Describing the bill as an important measure to end the gender bias, Law minister
Bhardwaj said “I am very happy it will lead to one third reservation for women. It is a
landmark step in India’s history.” Co0ngress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said “other
parties have talked about it but we have actually introduce the bill. We cleared it in the
Cabinet and introduced it in the Rajya sabha. Now the bill will not lapse.”
CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat congratulated the UPA government for introducing the
women’s reservation bill. I hope the government will ensure the passage of the bill in
the same spirit in which it was introduced.. Karat said the scenes witnessed in the Rajya
Sabha were a testimony to the overwhelming majority the legislation enjoys in the
House.
Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj told the reporters here “I am happy that the bill is
introduced and also happy that it is introduced in the Rajya Sabha because it will not
lapse now.” Taking a swipe at opponents of the bill she said “it is unfortunate that there
is not even an iota of change in the mindset of some parties.” Howsoever SP member
Abu Azmi said his party would continue to oppose the bill until reservation is ensured for
women belonging to OBC, Dalits and Muslims.
-DR. NAVRAJ SINGHN SANDHU, www.navraj@gmail.com
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