WOMEN RESERVATION BILL

• Recently, The Indian government introduced a bill to provide 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and all state Legislative Assemblies, including the seats reserved for SC/STs. 
• The bill, titled the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2023, was introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. This move is set to have a wide impact on Indian electoral politics.

• The call for greater representation of women in politics has been a persistent issue, dating back to even before India's independence.
• During the Constituent Assembly discussions, this topic was on the agenda.
• However, it wasn't until the 1970s that the movement gained significant momentum.

3. Committee on the Status of Women in India (CSWI)

• In 1971, the Union Ministry of Education and Social Welfare established the Committee on the Status of Women in India (CSWI).
• This committee was tasked with examining the constitutional, administrative, and legal provisions impacting women's social status, education, and employment, and the overall effect of these provisions.
• The committee's report, titled 'Towards Equality,' highlighted the Indian state's failure to ensure gender equality.
• Following the CSWI report, several Indian states began announcing reservations for women in local governing bodies.
• This was a significant step toward increasing female political representation.

4. National Perspective Plan for Women, 1988-2000

• In 1987, under the leadership of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, a committee chaired by Margaret Alva presented the National Perspective Plan for Women, 1988-2000.
• Among its 353 recommendations was the reservation of seats for women in elected bodies.
• These recommendations played a pivotal role in the subsequent constitutional amendments.

5.  73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts

• The Constitution was amended with the 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts, which mandated the reservation of one-third of seats for women in Panchayati Raj institutions and offices of the chairperson at all levels of Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies.
• Several states also reserved seats for women within the quotas for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

6. The First Women's Reservation Bill

• The demand for reservation of seats for women in the legislature gained traction after these constitutional amendments.
• In 1996, the government of Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda introduced The Constitution (81st Amendment) Bill, aiming to reserve one-third of seats for women in Parliament and state legislatures.
• The Bill garnered support from various quarters but also faced opposition, particularly from MPs representing OBC communities.

7. Select Committee and Challenges

• The Bill was sent to a Select Committee of Parliament, led by Geeta Mukherjee, which recommended extending reservations to OBC women.
• Despite initial enthusiasm, the government's resolve to pass the Bill waned, and it faced various challenges and opposition within Parliament.

8. Subsequent Attempts and Failures

• Under subsequent governments, including the one led by Inder Kumar Gujral and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, efforts to pass the Women's Reservation Bill faced dramatic disruptions and opposition.
• The Bill was reintroduced several times but failed to gain consensus and lapsed.
• Even during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government led by Manmohan Singh attempts to pass the Bill were unsuccessful.
• While the Standing Committee approved it, differences between the UPA and the Cabinet prevented its passage in the Lok Sabha, and the Bill lapsed once again.
• The BJP, in its manifestos for the 2014 and 2019 elections, expressed a commitment to provide 33% reservation for women in parliamentary and state assemblies through a constitutional amendment.
• The party has recognized the importance of women as a significant constituency and has been proactive in pushing for women-focused welfare schemes.

9. The WayForward

• As women's political representation gains importance in Indian politics, the journey of the Women's Reservation Bill continues.
• The Sangh Parivar has also identified women as a crucial segment of the population, signalling a growing focus on increasing women's representation in various organizations.