India

Women’s Bill Faces Lash From DMK MP Kanimozhi, Called “Jack-In-The-Box” Bill

On Wednesday, DMK MP Kanimozhi criticized the government for the “veil of secrecy (that) shrouded” the creation and introduction of the women’s reservation bill. The uncompromising Tamil leader further requested that women be allowed to “walk as equals” and that society (and the government) stop “saluting… worshipping” them. “.. don’t want to be called mother, sister or wife… want to be respected as equal”.

Ms. Kanimozhi started by questioning whether the Bharatiya Janata Party had indeed engaged stakeholders before introducing a measure that has been sitting in committee for 27 years and that the opposition claims was hurried to Parliament months before the 2024 general election, as she had been told earlier.

Here’s the statement from DMK MP Kanimozhi

“I myself raised this issue (the women’s bill) many times in Parliament… the government’s reply was very consistent. They said, ‘We have to involve all stakeholders, political parties… and then build a consensus before bringing the bill,” she said as Parliament began its debate on the bill.

“I would like to know what consensus was built… what discussions were held. This bill was brought shrouded in secrecy… we did not know why this (special) session was called for. At the all-party leaders’ meeting there was no mention of this bill… I don’t know if any of the political leaders were called for deliberations. Suddenly the bill popped up on our computers… like a jack-in-the-box.”

“Is this going to be the way this government will function?” she asked with a sarcastic dig at new uniforms – covered with lotus symbols – for Parliament officials, “Like we are suddenly seeing lotuses blooming from the uniforms of secretariat staff. Is everything going to be a surprise like this?”

Also Read: Kerala: Woman Shares Obscene Social Media Post Against Step Daughter, Accused Booked Under POCSO Act

History to women’s bill

In her speech, Ms. Kanimozhi also provided a brief overview of the history of the women’s bill, citing each instance in which her party had supported it. She also emphasized the support of her Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for the Congress in claiming what Sonia Gandhi referred to as “apna (our)” measure.

She, like others, criticized the BJP for submitting a law that would need a redrawing of parliamentary districts, or delimitation, which would depend on a national census set for 2027. As a result, the bill would not take effect until after the 2029 general election.

She also emphasized that the bill was unconstrained and would “take effect immediately after the passage” when it was submitted by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance administration in 2010.

Srishti Verma

Recent Posts

India & Central Asia Boost Rare Earth Cooperation At Delhi Meet

India and five Central Asian nations have agreed to deepen cooperation on rare earths and…

17 mins ago

PM Modi’s Beej Se Bazaar Tak Vision Reshapes Indian Agriculture

Prime Minister Modi has redefined Indian agriculture with the ‘Beej Se Bazaar Tak’ vision, transforming…

41 mins ago

EV Sales Cross 4% Mark In May; Signalling Steady Shift To Green Mobility

EV sales topped 4% of passenger vehicle retail in May 2025, signalling growing demand for…

1 hour ago

Self-Reliant Defence Industry Marks India’s Strategic Security Ascent

One year into Modi 3.0, reforms have reduced poverty, strengthened defence, and accelerated the digital…

1 hour ago

Survey Shows Over 88% Indians Trust PM Modi On National Interest & Security

A recent News18 survey reveals that more than 88 per cent of Indians trust Prime…

2 hours ago

PM Modi: NDA Government Has Redefined Women-Led Development Over 11 Years

Marking 11 years of the NDA govt at the Centre, PM Modi stated that women-led…

2 hours ago