Ranchi : Currently, there are only two issues that are most frequently discussed in Indian politics. The current governments 33% reservation for women is the first issue. The need for a caste census is the second issue. I wish to call your attention to the necessity for 33% female representation in the Lok Sabha and the reasons behind this demand. At the same time, Ill try to pinpoint the caste censuss subject and attempt to examine it.
You must have noticed over the past several days that Bharatiya Janata Party wants to claim credit for this 33% reservation for women by having it enacted by both Houses, despite the fact that Indias oldest party, Congress, claims to have designed it. When we turn the pages of history on this issue of reservation, we find that the credit for it goes directly to the Congress, because Congress first got the bill related to womens reservation passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2010 but unfortunately could not present it in the Lok Sabha.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of Modi had put off addressing this issue for nine years, but all of a sudden, they called a special session, introduced the 128th Amendment Bill, and not only did they introduce it but almost the entire Lok Sabha approved it. Both unanimously and by consensus, it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
Obviously, the Bharatiya Janata Party should claim the credit for it since it passed both of these Houses, but they left a number of defects in it and added a clause to apply it after the national census and delimitation. This makes it clear that the Bharatiya Janata Partys goal is to offer 33% of women reservations, but it also wants to gauge popular opinion in India. He picked a mileage of 10 years because if the elections in 2024 go as planned, they will implement it right away; however, if things dont go as planned, they (the BJP) will postpone it out of fear. The Bharatiya Janata Party is attempting to take mileage in the name of womens reservation, despite the fact that people often do so to demonstrate their expertise in a certain area. Congress, which claims ownership of this reservation, does not want to be the last to claim credit for it and should not do so either. Because it is it’s responsibility to claim credit.
In the most recent elections in Uttar Pradesh, Congress was the only party to reserve 40% of the seats for women, even before the Womens Reservation Bill was introduced. The fact that they strove to increase the number of women even if they did not have much success shows how they felt about women. Now lets talk about the caste census issue. When we talk about a caste census, it should not only include all castes present on the national level but also include a system for womens reservations.
A distinct reservation should be provided in that if OBC, SC, and ST womens participation is guaranteed. Even though the prime minister referred to it as politics of division, how can this be?
OBC women from earlier classes are still far behind. Elections are now so expensive that only wealthy women can run for office and participate in campaigns. It seems practically unthinkable that a woman from an oppressed household could possibly participate in elections in such a circumstance.
If women from backward classes ask for reservation in such a setting, it does not seem like an injustice that has suddenly arisen. Instead, it appears to be a struggle for rights.
In the Special Session of Parliament, Rahul Gandhi brought attention to the severe problem that only three of Indias 90 secretaries are members of the OBC.
We should give this subject considerable consideration because, according to their estimate, these three secretaries only have control over 5% of Indias whole budget. How can a government plan for the needs of the underprivileged in such a situation? Although the government continues to be in the spotlight, the secretaries actually administer the entire government. Though the brain that creates the idea and sketches it out like a picture belongs to these secretaries alone, the idea unquestionably belongs to the government. Additionally, even after the measure is enacted, it is via them that the process of implementation reaches the lower level.
We urgently need to raise the number of secretaries from OBC backward strata in such a circumstance. It is also conceivable to incorporate the backward classes in the form of a joint secretary in addition to a secretary so that the disadvantaged society or the backward class can receive the blueprint that has to be produced for India to run on the path of progress. We must obtain some tangible outcomes in order to move forward.
I personally think that the important issue brought up by Rahul Gandhi ji needs to be handled very seriously in this circumstance. Everyone needs it, not only the current administration but also the generations to come. This is a crucial issue that we must address. How can we represent India as a prosperous country while including OBC and ST youngsters in societys mainstream?
These young individuals should be fully utilized in moving Indias people ahead. Shri Sonia Gandhi ji made a strong point about the importance of taking the problem of womens reservation in the Lok Sabha seriously during her speech, and Rahul Gandhi jis point on the three secretaries also caused one to reflect deeply. In this case, we can argue that the Congress Party deserves more of the credit for the establishment of the womens reserve. Instead, it only goes to Congress.
Yes, the Bharatiya Janata Party was successful in bringing the problem to light and securing its passage in both Houses, but the Congress Party had originally drafted the plan.
Without overplaying its political significance, we hope that the subject of womens reservation can be realized as soon as possible. It can also be adopted in advance of the elections in 2024, so there is no need to wait ten years. We can put it into practice right away. In reality, it can and should be done even with the reservation system. When delimitation occurs, it will grow even more, but it will be ideal for India if 33% of the Lok Sabha seats are reserved for women will continue.
Large-scale political figures from both parties and social reformers throughout history have likewise held the belief that the more women there are, the more advance the family, society, and state will make as a whole. There will be involvement.
And we are extremely lucky to reside in a nation known affectionately as Mother India. We have created the incredibly strong Goddess Durga in the guise of a woman, who vanquishes the demons, by combining the power of all the Gods. And in such a circumstance, we are on the verge of Navratri, and in a few days, we will remember the mighty Durga in the guise of a woman, and we will submit to her will. The government should also declare that women will receive voting rights beginning with the 2024 elections in such a case on Durga Puja.
( The writer is a Journalist Ambrish Srivastava ) . Views expressed are personal.