Few moments ago, the Upper House of the Indian Parliament passed the 108th Constitutional amendment Bill, which seeks to give 33 per cent reservation to women in the legislatures. This is a historical moment, which the women should rejoice, as two decades down the line the fate of the "weaker sex" will take a big leap. From the status of being condemned to live under the shadow of their husbands, women will now walk into the highest decision making body to script a turnaround in their fortune.
The votaries of backward politics, three Yadavs of the cow-belt, did all to stonewall the landmark Bill, which was undone in their own ways, as rogue Parliamentarian were marshalled out today in the Upper House for showing contempt to the House. These mandalites had heralded reservation in jobs and educational institutions two decades back, which is now showing the impact, with government departments condemned to semi-meritorious man power, which in turn is now threatening to derail India's leap into a developed nation.
The proponents of backward politics have been belliegerent in their demands for quota within quota for dalits, OBCs and minorities. These buggers have been oblivious to the fact that when they pick a candidate during elections they go by just one factor that is winnability and that is decided by caste equations, hence they have always been picking candidates of their own caste groups. So, reservation or no reservation, they will do what they have been doing, that is to pursue in their efforts to drag the country backward.
Why is this a historic moment? This will ensure that the women will now stake claim to power directly. The claims of cynics that the wives and children of established politicians will be fielded as candidates is also a nonsense. Who are the existing women legislators if not the members of the clans of the politicians, so what is the fuss all about. The claim that it will be difficult to find women candidates is an insult to half the population of the country. At least now non-criminals, no-cheats, non-dalals (deal makers) will occupy the prestigious place in the legislators.
The journey of undoing a historical error has just begun and much needs to be done. Now that there is a momentum behind the initiative, it will be fitting if all the formalities are completed this year alone or rather in a span of three months, that is to get the assent of the required number of state Assemblies. This can be done and should be with no failings.
