The discussion on the Women’s Reservation Bill (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam) continued on Day 2 of the special parliamentary session, with Opposition parties expressing support for the Bill. However, political tensions between the Centre and the Opposition persisted, as the BJP-led government faced criticism for introducing the Bill after a 13-year delay since its initial passage in the Rajya Sabha in 2010.
Opposition’s Support
Opposition parties, including the Congress and Trinamool Congress, extended their support to the Women’s Reservation Bill during the parliamentary discussion.
Congress Led by Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, led her party’s debate on the Bill in the Lok Sabha. Notably, Congress had initially criticized the Bill’s introduction as an “election jumla” and a “betrayal of women’s hopes.”
Historical Introduction by the Union Government
On the first day of the special parliamentary session, the Union government introduced the Women’s Reservation Bill, a move hailed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a historic moment for India. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal presented the Bill during the inaugural sitting of the Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building.
Empowering Women Through Reservation
Meghwal emphasized that the government’s proposal to reserve one-third of all seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women is a significant step towards women’s empowerment. Once the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is passed, the number of seats for women in the Lok Sabha will increase to 181.
Renaming of the Old Parliament Building
In a significant development, the old Parliament building will now be known as ‘Samvidhan Sadan,’ a decision announced by PM Modi during his address in the Central Hall. This renaming was officially confirmed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla through an official notification.
Winding it up
The Women’s Reservation Bill has garnered support from the Opposition, although political tensions and criticism persist. The government’s efforts to empower women through this Bill have marked a historic moment in Indian parliamentary history, coinciding with the renaming of the old Parliament building to ‘Samvidhan Sadan.’
