Women’s reservation: Dominant castes’ quota demand not right - The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

Women’s reservation

Dominant castes’ quota demand not right

Women’s reservation

Tribune photo



THE parliamentary debate on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation Bill) witnessed a slew of demands and concerns being raised by Opposition parties. Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi sought that the quota should be implemented immediately and that women belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC) also be given reservation following a caste census. The Bill seeks to reserve one-third of the total number of Lok Sabha and Assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) for women belonging to these categories, but there is no such provision for OBC women. Other votaries of a quota-within-quota are parties such as the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, which argue that it is needed to empower marginalised women.

A report examining the 1996 Women’s Reservation Bill had recommended a quota for OBC women once the Constitution was amended to allow reservation for OBCs. However, this recommendation was not incorporated in the subsequent draft of the legislation. The 2023 Bill is undoubtedly a huge step towards women’s empowerment. However, any move to provide sub-quotas might prove counterproductive as the focus will shift to competing caste claims, while gender considerations will take a back seat. Also, unending demands of dominant castes for quotas are bound to derail the women’s empowerment agenda.

Rising above party lines, the lawmakers should concentrate on the basic quota of 33 per cent and work out a roadmap to ensure its effective implementation. The key objective should be to give greater opportunities to women, no matter which background they belong to. The euphoria over the new Bill has already been dampened by the fact that the reservation will come into effect only after the completion of the Census and delimitation exercise. Insisting on a quota-within-quota will further undermine the promising legislation.

#Congress #Sonia Gandhi


Top News

Israel intensifies its assault on southern Gaza, causing renewed concern about civilian deaths

Israel-Hamas conflict: Israel bombards southern Gaza as humanitarian crisis reaches ‘breaking point’

193 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since truce ended ...

After loss to Pakistan, India's envoy defends track record at UNESCO

After loss to Pakistan, India's envoy defends track record at UNESCO

Pakistan on November 24 beat India in an election to UNESCO ...

Lot at stake for regional satraps ahead of counting of votes for assembly polls

Lot at stake for regional satraps ahead of counting of votes for Assembly polls

Votes cast in the Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan an...

3 Khalistan supporters in New Zealand sentenced for plot to kill Kiwi radio host Harnek Singh

3 Khalistan supporters in New Zealand sentenced for plot to kill Kiwi radio host Harnek Singh

Sarvjeet Sidhu, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, while Su...

Once court concludes accused to entitled to bail, it can’t be for limited period: Supreme Court

Once court concludes accused is entitled to bail, it can’t be for limited period: Supreme Court

The Bench says such orders violate the right to liberty and ...


Cities

View All