National, April 16: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on April 16 described the Women’s Reservation Bill as a “historic” reform and expressed confidence that it would garner broad support across party lines in Parliament.
Speaking in New Delhi, Rijiju said the proposed legislation, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, represents a major milestone in India’s legislative journey. He noted that the bill addresses a long-standing demand to enhance women’s participation in governance.
The minister said the government expects cooperation from all political parties, emphasising that the measure should be viewed as one of national importance rather than a partisan issue. He added that there was optimism within the government that the bill would pass without significant resistance during parliamentary deliberations.
Responding to concerns raised by sections of the opposition, Rijiju cautioned against linking the legislation to the issue of delimitation. He urged parties not to spread apprehensions, particularly in southern states, by misinterpreting the provisions or intent of the bill.
He also appealed to stakeholders to avoid introducing unrelated issues that could delay the legislative process, stressing that the focus should remain on expanding women’s representation and strengthening inclusive governance.
The Women’s Reservation Bill, which has been under discussion for several years, is seen by the government as a transformative step towards achieving greater gender parity in India’s political system.
