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Women parliamentarians stage dharna

Special Correspondent

Demand tabling of the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament

— Photo: V.V. Krishnan

Women MPs from various political parties staging a protest demanding the passing of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: Women parliamentarians, barring those from the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), on Thursday staged a dharna in the Parliament House, demanding tabling of the Women’s Reservation Bill that will ensure 33 per cent reservation for women in Assemblies and Parliament. They carried placards and raised slogans.

The Bill has been hanging fire for the past 11 years as political parties have been unable to arrive at consensus.

“Historic moment”

“It is a historic moment for us [women] today as women parliamentarians, cutting across party lines, are present here. We have spoken to the SP and RJD also, who support reservation though they differ on the nature of reservation. It is important to introduce the Bill first,” Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat said.

Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi said her party (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) always supported 33 per cent reservation for women, and hoped that efforts would be made to reach consensus and introduce the Bill.

“We have given reservation to women in panchayats and know it has worked. Now, women in the State Assemblies and Parliament also should get reservation.” Similar sentiments were expressed by Supriya Sule of the Nationalist Congress Party. She expressed the hope that political parties would reach consensus.

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