Sonia Gandhi Supports Women's Reservation Bill But Questions Delay, Pushes For OBC Quota

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi opened the discussion on the Women's Reservation Bill from her party's side in Lok Sabha and extended her support.

Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday extended support to the Women's Reservation Bill as she opened the debate for her party in Lok Sabha. She said it was Rajiv Gandhi's dream but questioned the delay in implementation. She said, "Immediate implementation of women's reservation bill by removing all obstacles not only necessary but also possible," adding, that "any delay in implementing women's reservation bill will be a gross injustice to Indian women."

Putting forward her party's demand in Lok Sabha, she said, "Congress demands that women's quota bill be implemented immediately with sub-quota for SCs, STs, OBCs."

Extending her support to the passage of the bill, she said, "It is a very touching moment of my life. The first time, the Constitutional Amendment determining women's participation in local bodies was brought by my life partner Rajiv Gandhi."

'Indian Woman Has Patience Like An Ocean'

Opening the debate, Sonia Gandhi recognised the efforts of women in every field and said "This is the most appropriate moment to acknowledge and thank women for their contribution."

"From smoke-filled kitchens to brightly-lit stadiums, the journey of Indian women has been long. But finally, she has reached her destination. She gave birth, ran a household, ran fast among men and with infinite endurance often saw herself losing but winning in the end. The Indian woman has patience like an ocean in her heart, she never complained about being wronged and never thought only about her own benefits. Like a river she worked for the welfare of all... remained steadfast like the Himalayas in difficult times. It is impossible to estimate a woman's patience, she does not recognise rest and does not even know how to get tired," Gandhi said.

Remembers Contribution Of Women In Freedom Struggle

"In the fight for independence and the creation of a new India, women have fought shoulder to shoulder with men on every front. She was not buried under the burden of hopes, aspirations, troubles and household chores," said the Congress leader.

Lauding the contribution of the likes of Sarojini Naidu, Sucheta Kripalani, Aruna Asaf Ali, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and millions of other women, she said they have always ensured that the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru Sardar Patel, Baba Saheb Ambedkar and Maulana Azad are realised on the ground.

"The personality of Indira Gandhi ji is a very bright and living example in this regard," she said. 

The Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam

The Narishakti Vandan Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The bill proposes a reservation for 15 years and a quota will be fixed for women from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe within the reserved seat for women. 

However, implementation of the bill may still take some time and is unlikely to come into force for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections as the reservation will come into effect only after a delimitation exercise is completed. 

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, was listed for introduction in the Lower House through a supplementary list of business.

The reservation of "as nearly as may be, one-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election" will come into effect after a delimitation exercise is undertaken and will continue for 15 years. Seats reserved for women will be rotated after each subsequent delimitation exercise, according to the bill.