'Are women less than cows?': Mahua Moitra slams Modi govt amid debate on women's reservation bill

Are women less than cows?': Mahua Moitra slams Modi govt amid debate on women's reservation bill


The Women's Reservation Bill, which aims to reserve 33% of seats for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies, has sparked a heated debate in the Parliament. While the government claims that the bill is a historic step towards empowering women, the opposition parties accuse it of being a sham and a delay tactic.

One of the most vocal critics of the bill is Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra, who challenged the BJP and the Central Government to implement the bill immediately and send 33% women from the party to the Parliament. She also compared the treatment of women and cows in the country, saying that the government did not wait to count the number of cows or their breeds when it wanted to protect them, but is making women wait for years for their rightful representation.

Moitra said that the bill should be renamed as the 'Women's Reservation Rescheduling Bill', as it is not clear when it will come into effect. The bill states that the reservation will be implemented only after the delimitation exercise based on the next Census, which is likely to be delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This means that the bill may not become a reality even in 2029 or beyond.

Moitra also pointed out that the bill does not address the issue of reservation for women from the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), who constitute a large section of the population. She said that the bill is a 'jumla' (empty promise) and a 'vandan' (tribute) that does not translate into action. She urged the government to stop paying lip service to women and start giving them their due share in governance.

Moitra's speech was applauded by many on social media, who praised her for speaking truth to power and exposing the hypocrisy of the government. Some also hailed her as a role model for women and a fearless leader. However, some also criticized her for being disrespectful and divisive, and accused her of playing politics over a serious issue.

The Women's Reservation Bill has been pending in the Parliament since 1996, when it was first introduced by the United Front government. It was passed by the Rajya Sabha in 2010, but lapsed in the Lok Sabha. The current government reintroduced the bill in the Lok Sabha on September 20, 2023, and it was passed with an overwhelming majority of 454-2. However, it still needs to be ratified by at least half of the state legislatures before it becomes a law.

The bill is expected to increase the participation and representation of women in politics, which is currently very low in India. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, India ranks 148th out of 193 countries in terms of the percentage of women in the lower house of the Parliament, which is only 14.4%. The global average is 25.5%. The bill is also seen as a way to address the gender inequality and discrimination that women face in various spheres of life.

However, the bill also faces several challenges and criticisms, such as the lack of consensus among political parties, the fear of losing power and influence by the male-dominated political class, the possibility of proxy candidates and dynastic politics, and the need for more reforms and measures to ensure the effective participation and empowerment of women.

The debate on the Women's Reservation Bill is not just about numbers and percentages, but also about the values and principles that shape our democracy and society. It is a test of our commitment to the ideals of equality, justice, and dignity for all. It is also a reflection of our respect and recognition for the contributions and aspirations of half of our population. As Moitra said, "We don't need any more vandans, what we need is direct action."

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(1) Rename quota bill women’s reservation rescheduling bill: Mahua Moitra. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/rename-quota-bill-women-s-reservation-rescheduling-bill-mahua-moitra/ar-AA1gZI29.
(2) 'Are women less than cows?': Mahua Moitra slams Modi govt amid debate on women's reservation bill. https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/are-women-less-than-cows-mahua-moitra-slams-modi-govt-amid-debate-on-womens-reservation-bill-11695213470486.html.
(3) Women's Reservation Bill: How Sonia Gandhi, Smriti Irani, Mahua Moitra, other women MPs took charge in the LS today. https://www.livemint.com/news/india/womens-reservation-bill-how-sonia-gandhi-smriti-irani-mahua-moitra-other-women-mps-took-charge-in-the-lok-sabha-11695214566142.html.
(5) ‘Forget 2024, this may not even be possible in 2029’: Mahua Moitra .... https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mahua-moitra-calls-womens-quota-bill-sham-8948568/.
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