Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida has endorsed the Women’s Reservation Bill, describing it as a historic milestone for women-led development in India, while criticizing the Congress for opposing the legislation. During a press conference in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, Parida stated that India has transitioned from merely focusing on women’s development to embracing an era of women-led development.
“Today, India is undergoing a historic transformation. We have moved beyond women’s development and entered the era of women-led development. The Women’s Reservation Bill was first introduced in 1996, but it remained merely a discussion for years. Finally, on September 21, 2023, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiyam was passed as a constitutional amendment, ensuring one-third female representation in the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies,” Parida remarked.
She highlighted that in 1952, there were only 22 women MPs in the Lok Sabha, a figure that has now increased to 75, but emphasized that this is “just the beginning.”
“Today, I appeal to all political parties and women to unite and raise their voices and exert pressure for their rights and representation. When women unite for their rights, history changes. If women are empowered, India will be empowered,” Parida added.
BJP MP Anita Priyadarshini also expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his confidence in women. “We are grateful to the Prime Minister for showing faith in the women of the country and trusting that women can handle the responsibility of the country very well,” Priyadarshini stated.
Addressing Congress’s opposition to the Bill, she remarked that it seemed more like a struggle for survival than a principled stance. “Congress has no other way; it seems more like a conflict for survival. We still appeal for their support because it is not about a political party, but about women of the entire country. Where were you in 60 years of rule?” she questioned.
Priyadarshini further emphasized that women would no longer be passive beneficiaries of government schemes but active participants in law-making. “We were earlier merely the beneficiaries, but we will now be the participants in law-making. Every political party should quit low-level politics and support this,” she asserted.
The Parliament is scheduled to convene for a three-day special session starting April 16, focusing on the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill. The Government has planned two significant amendments.
The 2023 Nari Shakti Vandan Act links women’s reservation to the new census and delimitation. Due to delays in the census, the plan is to proceed using the 2011 census data.
The 2011 census will serve as the basis for delimitation and seat redistribution.
Lok Sabha seats may increase from 543 to 816 following the amendment.
A bill will be introduced in Parliament to amend the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, along with a separate Delimitation Bill. Both bills must be passed as Constitutional amendments to ensure women’s reservation. (ANI)
