As the editorial “A historic vote” (March 10) points out, the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha is a bold and progressive step of great significance. The credit for it should go primarily to Sonia Gandhi who stood firm on the UPA's commitment to the Bill, in spite of the political risk involved. The stand of the SP and the RJD is well known and the MPs belonging to those parties showed their resentment to the Bill by their unruly behaviour, as expected. The BSP's decision to keep away was also understandable as it does not want to be identified openly with the Bill. What was surprising, however, was the stand of the Trinamool Congress, which abstained from voting.
K.V. Ravindran,Payyanur
That we have at last stepped into a progressive era by passing the Women's Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha, after some initial hiccups, is heartening. Ms Gandhi should ensure the smooth passage of the historic bill in the Lok Sabha too. Tough measures such as suspension or expulsion should be resorted to, if necessary, against members who obstruct the proceedings.
Nirmala P. Rao,Hyderabad
The opposition to the Women's Bill from the SP, the RJD and others who want a quota within quota is mischievous.
Can all those describing the Women's Reservation Bill as “anti-OBC and anti-minorities” explain why they never thought of these sections all these years? It would be naive to believe that women's empowerment in the real sense will happen overnight. But the Bill is surely a decisive step towards gender sensitisation and equality.
P. Venkatesh,Salem
It is ironical that two political parties led by women leaders, the BSP and the Trinamool Congress, did not make any contribution to the passage of the historic Women's Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha. That the Trinamool Congress, an alliance partner of the ruling UPA, looked for an alibi to abstain from voting was ridiculous.
Aloysius Joseph,Kochi
Some argue that the time is not ripe for reserving seats for women in the legislatures, saying it is more important to empower them socially, educationally and economically. But we have not seen any major move in the direction of empowering women in the last 62 years. I do not, for a moment, believe that women cannot make it on merit but reservation will make them jump into the fray and lead from the front. Sonia Gandhi, who got thrown into politics by accident, has proved what one well-meaning woman in the right place at the right time can achieve. I delight to think of what effect 33 per cent well-meaning women legislators can have on the lives of other women.
Anuradha Khanna,Haryana
The UPA chairperson deserves praise for her unflinching support to the Bill. So do the Left and the principal Opposition party. By ensuring that the Bill was passed, Ms Gandhi blunted the politics of casteism promoted by the SP and the RJD.
J. Anantha Padmanabhan,Srirangam
