The Minister of State (MoS) for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, on Friday backed the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, asserting that the country's women are closely watching the House proceedings and expecting a historic decision.
"The half of country's population is looking at the House today, and they are watching that in Indian politics, a major change will reach its conclusion." She noted that while political consensus had emerged earlier, the legislation has yet to be implemented.
"It is true that all parties together in 2023 formed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, but even today, the country's half population is waiting for this Bill to be passed." Highlighting the current representation of women in legislatures, MoS Patel said the numbers remain inadequate.
"The situation of political participation of women is only 14 per cent in the Lok Sabha, and in Rajya Sabha it is 18 per cent, and in every state Assembly, we are nowhere more than 10 per cent. This ratio is disappointing, and it is time to change the picture."
She also criticised political parties for their approach to candidate selection. "I am not happy to say that many times political parties do not stop themselves from giving tickets to 'bahubalis' (strongmen) and criminals, but a normal woman is not considered a winning candidate and is stopped from getting a ticket.
We have the opportunity today to change this situation." Emphasising the need for collective support, MoS Patel said, "That is why our Prime Minister appealed to every party to take forward this Bill together." Addressing concerns raised during the debate, she added, "Many concerns and debates are being created over this, among which one issue was about Southern states, those who performed well in population control may face problems.
But Home Minister Amit Shah explained that in every state 50 per cent seats will be increased and according to seats there won't be any problem caused in any state." Responding to Opposition's objections, MoS Patel said, "But our Opposition MPs are saying this is written nowhere, you are just saying it."
She also took a swipe at previous governments, saying, "In the House many members said that we have the strength of 543 and why not proceed with women's reservation with this much strength. I want to ask, when you had power, why didn't you pass the Women's Reservation Bill?"
Responding to Opposition's allegations that the Union government brought the issue for political gain, MoS Patel said, "For political benefit, we have called this special Parliament session amid ongoing elections in a few states. I want to clarify -- don't worry, this will benefit you as well.
Take part in this 'noble cause' and give a message to half the population of this country that you support the Women's Reservation Bill." Her remarks came during an extended debate in the Lok Sabha on key bills related to women's reservation and delimitation, with voting on the legislation scheduled to take place later.