Keywords – Lok Sabha ,Women’s Reservation Bill, India, Parliament, gender equality, women’s representation, constitutional amendment
New Delhi, September 20, 2023 – In a historic move, the Lok Sabha, India’s lower house of Parliament, passed the Women’s Reservation Bill, officially titled the “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam,” with an overwhelming majority of 454 votes in favor and only 2 against. The bill, which required a two-thirds majority to pass, was introduced during a special session of Parliament and aims to reserve one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha, state legislatures, along with the Delhi legislative assembly.
The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-eight Amendment) Bill 2023, introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, was passed after a lengthy and impassioned debate in the Lok Sabha. The bill’s passage signifies a significant step toward gender equality and greater representation for women in Indian politics.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing the house, emphasized that the Women’s Reservation Bill would provide reservations for women across all existing categories, including General, SCs, and STs. He also highlighted that the bill’s implementation would follow the completion of the census and delimitation exercises after the upcoming elections.
The bill’s passage garnered widespread support from members of the Lok Sabha, with opposition parties, including the Congress, demanding immediate implementation of the legislation. Additionally, some members called for reservations for women from Other Backward Classes (OBC) and minorities.
The Women’s Reservation Bill introduces significant amendments to India’s political landscape, aiming to introduce 33 percent reservation for women in the Lower House of Parliament, state legislatures, and the Delhi legislative assembly. However, it is essential to note that the bill’s provisions will come into effect following the completion of a delimitation exercise conducted after the first census following its enactment.
The last time a similar bill was introduced was over a decade ago when the Constitution (One Hundred and Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2008, was passed by the Rajya Sabha but lapsed after the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha (2009-14). The 2023 bill, while bearing some similarities to the 2008 version, introduces several key changes, including its implementation timeline and the retention of provisions related to the reservation for the Anglo-Indian community.
The Women’s Reservation Bill’s passage marks a historic milestone for gender equality in India’s political landscape and underscores the nation’s commitment to promoting women’s participation in governance and decision-making processes.
Written by- Shuniti Sinha, College name – Brainware University , Semester- 7th, an intern under Legal Vidhiya
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