Women’s Reservation Bill to be presented in Rajya Sabha today: 10 key points inside

As Women’s Reservation Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha yesterday, now, it is all set to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Day 4 of the Parliament special session today (September 20).

Here are 10 points on Women’s Reservation Bill:

• The Lok Sabha passed the bill on Wednesday to reserve one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. However, the opposition demands to extend similar benefits to ST, SC and OBCs and implement the measure before the 2024 general polls.
• On Day 3 of the special session of Parliament, the much-awaited bill received 454 votes in favour and only two votes against it. Now, the bill is all set for another test as it will be presented in Rajya Sabha today.
• After decades of attempts, the Women’s Reservation Bill has been finally cleared in the Lower House. The UPA government led by Manmohan Singh introduced the bill in the Rajya Sabha back in 2008, where it was passed in 2010. But still, it never reached the Lok Sabha for consideration.
• Notably, the historic bill proposes a 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures, which may not come into effect until 2029.
• This can only be implemented after the first delimitation of constituencies following the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill, which is likely to occur in 2027, as delimitation is only conducted after the next census.
• Amid the potential delay of the Women’s Reservation Bill, the opposition parties have demanded an urgent and immediate implementation of it with a sub-quota for OBCs.
• Opening the debate in Parliament on Wednesday, Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi said, “For the last 13 years, Indian women have been waiting for their political responsibilities, and now they are being asked to wait for a few more years — two years, four years, six years, eight years.”
• Even Rahul Gandhi spoke about it, saying “Two things seem strange. One is the idea that you need a new census for this bill and new delimitation and I think this bill can be implemented today. I wonder if this is not designed to push it forward by seven or eight years and let it play out the way it does.”
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that both delimitation and census will begin after the next general election. “Let us rise above partisan politics to give women the respect they deserve. Earlier they have been left disappointed four times by Parliament. Let this bill be passed unanimously,” the union minister said.
• Taking it to X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the passages of the bill with overwhelming support, saying, “I thank MPs across Party lines who voted in support of this Bill. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is historic legislation which will further boost women’s empowerment and will enable even greater participation of women in our political process.”