The Hindu : Front Page : “Don’t dodge Women’s Bill any further”

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Tuesday, May 06, 2008
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“Don’t dodge Women’s Bill any further”

Special Correspondent

Nothing less than swift passage will satisfy gender justice supporters: activists

NEW DELHI: Women’s activists on Monday staged an impromptu dharna outside Parliament demanding that the Women’s Reservation Bill be introduced in the ongoing session itself.

They were supported by P. Seethadevi and C.S. Sujatha, MPs from the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

“A paradox”

Leading the protest, the former MP, Subhashini Ali, said it was a paradox that the government was still keen on going ahead with the India-U.S. civilian nuclear deal though there seemed to be no majority support for the move. But the Women’s Bill was still not being introduced in spite of many parties favouring it.

Welcoming the announcement by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on introduction of the Bill this session, the women’s groups said nothing less than its swift passage would satisfy all those who were supporters of not only gender justice but also inclusive democratic processes.

“We urge the United Progressive Alliance government not to adopt any further delaying tactics.”

According to Annie Raja of the National Federation of Indian Women, though women had been fighting for this just demand for more than 12 years, successive governments have failed to pass the Bill. The UPA’s Common Minimum Programme contains this promise, but no sincere effort has been made to fulfil it.

Whenever the issue came up, the government tried to delay the Bill taking cover under consensus. The delay in bringing in the Bill for a debate showed the lack of political will and commitment on the part of the UPA government, Ms. Raja said.

The activists who staged the protest belonged to the All-India Democratic Women’s Association, the National Federation of Indian Women, the Joint Women’s Programme, the Muslim Women’s Forum, the Centre for Women’s Development Studies, the Young Women’s Christian Association and the Guild of Services.

Separately, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury appealed to all parties to allow the government introduce the Bill in its original form in the Rajya Sabha. He said a debate could be held on the floor of the House.

“We have been saying for the past 10 years that the Bill should be introduced in its original form. Whatever issues other parties have with it [the Bill] should be discussed as part of the debate in Parliament.”

Concerns

Mr. Yechury told a press conference that the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Samajwadi Party were opposed to the Bill, as they had certain concerns related to it. However, these could be discussed through amendments also.

“I am appealing to all political parties not to prevent introduction of the Bill in the name of their objections and modifications, which can be debated on the floor of the House.”

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