By Bharatiya Republican Socialist (BRS) leader Kavitha began a day-long hunger strike in Delhi on Thursday to demand the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill. The bill seeks to reserve 33% of seats in parliament and state legislatures for women. Kavitha is leading the hunger strike along with other women leaders from different political parties and social organizations.
Kavitha said that the Women’s Reservation Bill has been pending for over 25 years, and it’s time to take concrete steps towards ensuring equal representation for women in politics. She emphasized that women’s participation in decision-making processes is crucial for the country’s progress and development.
The Women’s Reservation Bill was first introduced in parliament in 1996, but it has not been passed yet. The bill proposes to reserve one-third of the total seats in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and state legislative assemblies for women. The bill has been stalled several times due to opposition from various political parties.
Kavitha and other women leaders have been demanding the passage of the bill for years. In 2010, the bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha, but it has not been passed in the Lok Sabha yet.
The issue of women’s representation in politics has been a long-standing debate in India. Despite women comprising nearly 50% of the population, their representation in parliament and state legislatures is abysmally low. As of 2022, women hold only 14.36% of seats in the Lok Sabha and 24.64% of seats in state legislative assemblies.
Kavitha’s hunger strike has garnered support from various women’s organizations and political parties. Several leaders from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Janata Dal (Secular), All India Forward Bloc, and other parties have extended their support to the hunger strike.
In conclusion, Kavitha’s hunger strike highlights the long-standing demand for women’s representation in politics in India. The passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill would be a significant step towards ensuring equal representation and participation of women in decision-making processes. It remains to be seen if the government will take concrete steps towards passing the bill in the near future.
