Intense Clash In Lok Sabha Between Sonia Gandhi And BJP On Women’s Reservation Bill

The discussion on the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha saw a face-off between the Congress and the BJP on Wednesday. Former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi demanded the reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and the immediate implementation of the bill, while BJP MP Nishikant Dubey accused the Congress of introducing new elements “for political angles” and claimed that the party had never advocated for an OBC quota within the context of women’s reservation.

Sonia Gandhi’s Support and Emotional Connection

As the first speaker from the Opposition on the bill, Sonia Gandhi expressed her party’s support for the legislation but called for a reservation for Other Backward Classes within the proposed 33% quota for women. She noted that speaking on the bill was an emotional moment for her, as her husband, Rajiv Gandhi, had been the first to introduce a bill on reservation for women in local bodies.

Speaking in Hindi, Sonia Gandhi stated, “On behalf of the Indian National Congress, I stand here in support of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. From smoke-filled kitchens to flood-lit stadiums, the Indian woman’s journey has been a long one. But she has finally reached her destination.” She emphasized that women had played an essential role alongside men in the fight for Independence and the creation of a new India.

She highlighted the historical context, saying, “Speaking on this bill is an emotional moment for me because the constitutional amendment providing reservation for women in local bodies had first been tabled by my husband, Rajiv Gandhi. It was a Congress government under PV Narasimha Rao that had got it passed. Rajiv Gandhi’s dream has only been half fulfilled so far and it will be fulfilled with the passage of this bill.”

Immediate Implementation and Caste Census

Sonia Gandhi stressed that while her party supports the bill, women should not have to wait any longer for their rights. She questioned the delay, asking, “How many years will they have to wait, two, four, eight? Is this right? The Congress demands that the bill be implemented immediately. A caste census must also be conducted, and provisions made for reservation for women from the SC, ST, and OBC communities. The government should take all the steps needed for this. Delaying this would be doing gross injustice to women.”

BJP Response and Accusations

In response, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey pointed out that the bill already includes a provision for the reservation of women from the SC and ST communities. He accused the Congress and the Opposition of not introducing the bill for all these years and suggested that they were upset because Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP had the courage to do so.

Dubey stated, “The Prime Minister has been saying it is the right time, this is the time (to pass the bill). We are proud of him for calling this special session to table this bill and give respect, and reservation, to the women of this country.”

He criticized the Congress, saying, “This country runs on the Constitution. They have been patting themselves on the back for introducing reservation for women in panchayats and local bodies. They never spoke about, or provided for, OBC reservation. They are bringing up new things for political angles.”

Dubey also responded to the call for immediate implementation, saying, “You are now saying implement the reservation from 2024 itself (without carrying out the Census and delimitation). Do you want the reservation to be struck down? Do you want us to use women’s reservation as a lollipop, like you did? The PM says he finishes what he starts. And now that the bill has been tabled, women will get their rights, and no one can stop it.”

The Women’s Reservation Bill

The constitutional amendment bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, aims to provide 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies across the country. It is expected to be cleared by both Houses with the support of some members of the opposition, including the Congress.