‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’
Mahadeep Singh Jamwal
The term “Amrit Kaal” comes from Vedic astrology and refers to a crucial period when the gates to greater pleasure for humans, angels, and other creatures open and is regarded as the most fortunate time to begin any new work. Likewise the passage of ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ (Women’s Reservation Bill), a gateway of political empowerment for women, became accessible during this period as a historical gift not only to the one class of the society but to the entire humanity in true sense of democracy. The inclusion of all sections of the society in the public sphere is critically important for any democracy. The painful truth that the patriarchal society suppressed woman has been in exercise for long time but it is also to be recognized that India is always working to make India more suitable to woman so that they could also get equal opportunities available to them in society. To develop India as superpower the development of woman is equally important. It is recent that noticeable work started beginning to lift woman out of abyss of insignificance. We come across many schemes doled out by various governments to empower the woman in various sectors of the society but the political empowerment had been a game of ‘Snake & Ladder’ for all political parties and will to reserve political representation has been in resonance for decades without coming to logical conclusion. The woman empowerment in India cannot be compared with other countries. Woman was highly respected in Vedic ages. The word ‘Sahadharmini’ is known from Vedic age. India has a mixed track record when it comes to women’s participation and representation in politics. India stands 20th from the bottom in terms of representation of women in Parliament yet that have held, and still hold power, at the highest levels in state and national politics and have held the posts of President and Prime Minister in India, as well as Chief Ministers of various states. Indian voters have elected women to numerous state legislative assemblies and national parliament for many decades. In spite of such progress, women’s representation in elected assemblies remains abysmally low.
The greatest obstacle women face are the political parties, who refuse to field a fair number of women candidates. It was realized that the only way to address it in the short run was through bold legislation. This created a voice of reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. It was really a joyous moment for citizen of India, when decade long demand of politically empowering the woman by way of creating provisions of reservation in Lok Sabha and assembly seats was introduced in Lok Sabha by present dispensation as ‘The Constitution (one hundred and twenty eighth amendment) Bill, 2023 named ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ (Women’s Reservation Bill), to reserve one-third of seats i.e. 33% reservation in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women on 20th of September 2023, obsessed with the confidence of having absolute majority in Lok Sabha. From the voting pattern by all political parties, who were never on same platform for this purpose, it is crystal clear that they have realized that they cannot oppose such an issue that is decisive for their political survival. The bill received over whelming support in the lower house of Indian parliament, with 454 members voting in favor of the bill and just two voting against it and Rajya Sabha cleared it with 214 ayes with zero vote against it. Such unanimous support (willingly or unwillingly) is indeed charming for a country and can be tagged as unity in diversity (Marta Kya Na Karta) on issues of concern of the whole society.
Yet there are reservations in the common minds that as the bill has to take effect after the publication of the next census and the subsequent delimitation exercise, as such there are doubts over the timing of this bill and taken as a trickery of Modi government as eyeing on women voter in forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Here we must realize a universal fact that politicians increasingly draw on the tactic of “misdirection”, like a magician where he draws the audience’s attention in one direction, with something noisy or spectacular, while the real moves are being made out of sight. Even if we know we are being misdirected, the problem is these principles are just incredibly effective and they still have an impact. The founders of the constitution may not have anticipated everything that have to be in accordance with people’s aspirations and changes in society that is why the provision of constitutional amendments was incorporated in the Constitution. We have seen many changes from time to time and shortcomings in various laws that have been well addressed through amendments that revolutionized our democracy. We must agree that nothing is perfect but progress is more important than perfection. The road to perfection is one filled with many an obstacle, and the walk is long and tedious and we must believe the words of Vince Lombardi that ‘perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.’
The historic day of new dawn in Indian Democracy empowering politically the women reminded me of 20th September 1846, when astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle observed the Neptune, most beautiful Planet, likewise our Democracy on same form of beautification by adoption of the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ (Women’s Reservation Bill) on same day. Although we have to wait for certain period for practicability of the bill yet we can think of a beautiful map of Indian politics to be more colorful and attractive now with the greater participation of next generation women in policymaking at the national and state levels that will leave wide impact on Indian electoral politics in coming years. It is indeed the need of the hour that a true representative democracy seeks adequate representation of women in politics. Women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision making in politics, economics and public life.