Jammu/Kishtwar, April 22:
The District Congress Committee (DCC) Kishtwar on Wednesday staged a protest at Dak Bungalow, Kishtwar, against the Central Government, alleging that it is misleading the public over the status of the Women’s Reservation Bill.
The protest was led by senior Congress leader Sheikh Mujeeb Ali, former President DCC Doda, and witnessed participation from several party leaders and workers.
Addressing the gathering, the protesters accused the government led by Narendra Modi of creating confusion among the masses regarding the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill. They maintained that the bill had already been passed in 2023, and the current narrative being projected links it with delimitation, which, they claimed, deviates from established norms.
The Congress leaders further alleged that the proposed delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census could undermine fair representation and is being driven by political considerations.
They also referred to the developments in Parliament during the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill 2023, noting that while the bill received broad support and was passed with the required two-thirds majority in both Houses, opposition parties had raised concerns over the delay in its implementation and the absence of sub-quotas for OBC women.
Referring to recent developments, the leaders said that the government has effectively linked the implementation of women’s reservation to the completion of delimitation and the next Census exercise. They argued that this conditional framework, discussed in Parliament, could significantly delay the actual rollout of reservation for women in legislatures, thereby defeating the immediate purpose of the legislation.
Reiterating the party’s commitment to women’s empowerment, leaders said that the Indian National Congress has consistently advocated for reservation for women in legislative bodies. They also referred to Rahul Gandhi raising the issue in Parliament, questioning the delay in implementing the bill despite its passage.
The speakers added that Rahul Gandhi has even expressed willingness to support up to 40 percent reservation for women, going beyond the proposed 33 percent, as a step towards stronger and more inclusive representation.
