The Lok Sabha passed the Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023. Earlier on Monday, the Bill had got clearance by the Union Cabinet.
This Bill will provide reservations to women in Parliament and state assemblies. It will mandate 33 per cent seats for women politicians in Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had appealed on Wednesday to all the political parties to support the Bill. Shah emphasised that the government has prioritized women’s safety, dignity and equal participation as central principles.
Shah mentioned that the bill was previously presented in Parliament four times without success. He asserted that all political parties should unite and support the Bill.
Rahul Gandhi supported the Bill but felt that the Bill was incomplete without OBC quota. Rahul spoke during the Special Session in regards to the Women’s Reservation Bill and said that Panchayaati Raj was a huge step in transfer of power to women and now this Bill is another such step.
Amit Shah attacked the Opposition asking for OBC quota by saying that all those who are speaking of OBC, they themselves never had a Prime Minister from the OBC community. He insisted on supporting the Bill as it is a matter of women’s respect and any rectification can be done tomorrow.
As per the legislation, it is scheduled to take effect following the redrawing of Lok Sabha constituencies, which will be undertaken once the upcoming population census is concluded.