New Delhi, March 10: All India Mahila Congress President Alka Lamba, along with other members, staged a protest at Jantar Mantar on Monday, demanding the immediate implementation of a 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assemblies. The protestors carried placards that read, "Kahe har bharat ki naari, abhi Lagu karo 33% hissedari" (Every woman in India demands the immediate implementation of 33% reservation).
The Congress leaders called for urgent government action to pass legislation that would guarantee a 33% reservation for women in both the Lok Sabha and state legislatures, aiming to ensure greater representation of women in Indian politics. The Nari Shakti Vandan Act of 2023 includes a provision reserving one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) and state assemblies for women. This move will ensure a significant portion of legislative seats are specifically allocated for female candidates, increasing women’s participation in the country's decision-making processes.
While the constitutional amendment bill was passed almost unanimously by the Lok Sabha and unanimously by the Rajya Sabha, its implementation will take time. The law’s execution is contingent on the next national census and the subsequent redrawing of constituencies (delimitation) to determine which seats will be reserved for women. The reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies will last for 15 years, with an option for Parliament to extend it.
In a related development, the Madhya Pradesh government recently approved a 35% reservation for women in all state government recruitment processes. Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla told ANI, "Reservation for women in all recruitment under government services in Madhya Pradesh has been increased to 35% from 33%. The decision was approved by the state cabinet today. This is a major step towards women’s empowerment in the state." Chief Minister Yadav also emphasized that this increase in reservation is part of the state government's ongoing efforts to empower women, making Madhya Pradesh the first state in India to provide 35% reservation for women in government jobs.
Previously, the Rajasthan government, led by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, had approved a 33% reservation for women in the police department.
