Historic Women’s quota Bill

A  wait for fourteen long years, Smritis taken for a ride and after long hours of standoff and acrimony, the Rajya Sabha has finally voted in favour  of the Women.  Is it mere coincidence that the first citizen of the country happens to be a woman and the leader of the ruling party also happens to be a lady.  Whatever; it is part of history now.  The determination of the government to push the bill through hours of indecision definitely needs a round of applause.  Just to think that the bill was introduced in the house 14 years ago points to the hypocrisy of our political system.

What makes the politicians averse to the bill is interesting to speculate and delineate.  Loss of 33% seats, increased voice of the women, less chances of corruption, name it and all of these and more are going to be reasons of interest.  When the bill becomes a historic and great step in the empowerment of women in the words of the PM, doesn't these echo the words when man first landed on moon.? A sure and significant step indeed towards the emanicipation of women, who have to play a central part in the making of the nation.

That different parties are crying foul and resorting to threatening tactics is not new in the political scenario of India.  All the cubes have  fallen in place as the Govt does have a majority in both houses and the bill will certainly sail through when it is presented in the Lok Sabha too.  After a deadlock of 14 years if it does not get through this time, it is going to be the darkest chapter in the history of India's parliamentary democracy.  Bulldozing through male bastions, the bill has found favour with all the women, gauging from the spontaneous reactions pouring out from all quarters.  Although it may not change the lives of millions of ordinary women, they stand to gain in the long process.  33% reservation in the local governing council seats in the towns and villages is definitely going to be remarkable. 

It is not the Congressmen who have the last laugh.  The bluffs and theatrics of the opposition party, the ruckus over the bill, everything has been thrown out of the window to secure a brighter future for the country. After Monday's fiasco, Mrs Sonia Gandhi is reported to have thrown all her political will -power and clout behind the bill, a bill she must have carried close to her heart. A political dream won't be that distant for many women in India. Let the horizons be even more brighter for all the women in India. Truly a wonderful gift on the International womens' day.