The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Reservation bill

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Thursday, May 08, 2008
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Reservation bill

The tabling of the Constitution (108th Amendment) Bill 2008, popularly known as the women’s reservation bill, in the Rajya Sabha, 12 years after it was first introduced in the Lok Sabha, is a matter of shame, not jubilation. Our politicians should not forget that almost 50 per cent of the population are women. The proposal to increase the number of seats by 33 per cent is unacceptable. It will rob the women of their rightful share of 33 per cent. That men are going to have the final word on reservation for women is peculiar and contrary to natural justice.

M.J. Ruben,

Chennai

* * *

Although not surprising, the behaviour of some of the Rajya Sabha members during the introduction of the bill was appalling. One wonders what Parliament sessions will look like if the bill becomes a reality. The men may have to face the fury of the 33 per cent women scorned. The happenings will beat all mega television serials to dust.

V.S. Venkatavaradan,

Salem

* * *

Although it took four years for the UPA government to introduce the bill, it is a good effort. Political parties, which have objections to the bill in its present form, should convey them on the floor of the house through debate and discussion. If passed, the bill will be a milestone in the political history of India. It will be a big step forward in the empowerment of women, who constitute almost half of the total population.

B. Umamaheswari,

Salem

* * *

If the political parties were truly interested in giving due representation to women in the country’s affairs, they would not have imagined an impractical figure of 33 per cent. It would be fair to women only if they occupy 50 per cent of the seats in the legislatures.

R.K. Divakara,

Bangalore

* * *

The reservation bill emerged from the dusty parliamentary archives, only to be shouted down but not thrown out. Amid hopes that this time it will not be a ritual, the bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha.

Barely days after Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee ordered the stoppage of live television coverage of the proceedings, it was time for elder MPs to try and stop the tabling of the bill. It is time our lawmakers agreed on a uniform code of conduct to make protests in the house more democratic and meaningful.

Ushadevi Suddapalli & S.B. Rao,

Muscat

* * *

The MPs should make sincere efforts to iron out the problems. Only then can the bill be passed. Women would get their long-pending share in political power.

Subhas Yadawad,

Bijapur

* * *

There can never be complete gender equality until women themselves help to make laws and elect the lawmakers. While we have succeeded in achieving the latter, the former seems to be a mirage.

Mantha Tejaswini,

Warangal

* * *

Why did it take four long years for the UPA government to proceed in the matter when reservation for women was incorporated in its CMP?

Why was the matter not brought before the Delimitation Commission which undertook the task of fresh delimitation? Is it possible to consider increasing the number of seats in the legislatures when the 84th amendment has imposed a freeze on the State-wise distribution of Lok Sabha seats and the strength of individual State Assemblies until 2026?

Hemant Kumar,

Haryana

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