The Rajya Sabha passed the Constitution Women’s Reservation Bill (128th Amendment Bill) reserving 1/3rd of the seats in State legislative assemblies and Parliament for women.
The bill was introduced by Union Minster of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal.
It is passed with a 452:2 majority.
Total 132 MPs participated in the discussion in both the houses.
Later after discussing nearly 10 hours, the bill was passed by 214 who were present.
The bill states that the true empowerment of women will require greater participation of women in the decision-making process.
The bill was opposed by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen MPs Asaduddin Owaisi and Imtiaz Jaleel.
They raised questions that why Muslim Women and women from backward classes weren’t being granted a quota similar to the one provided for women belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The president of BJP JP Nadda stated that “There’s a way to work Constitutionally. After all, we have to give women reservation. But who will decide which seats are to be and not to be reserved? Government can’t do it. A quasi judicial body does it. It has to be nominated. If I’m in the government and reserve Wayanad? What if I reserve Amethi? What is I reserve Rae Bareli, Kalaburagi? Two things are essential. First, census. Then a public hearing through the quasi-judicial authority, determining seats to be reserved”.
The reservation will be implemented after the exercise of delimitation is undertaken following the first census.
