New Delhi, April 28 (IANS) Delhi Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Tuesday that the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation Bill), which could not be passed in Lok Sabha due to the Opposition parties’ non-cooperation, was a historic effort to ensure constitutional rights for half of the country’s population.​

Taking part in a special discussion on Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation Bill) in the special session of the Delhi Assembly, Sirsa said that it was a decisive step towards providing 33 per cent representation to women in the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, Rajya Sabha, and Legislative Councils, but Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Samajwadi Party, DMK, and other Opposition parties collectively worked to obstruct this historic opportunity.​

Sirsa said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central government has consistently worked to empower women politically.​

Through 50 per cent reservation in Panchayats, lakhs of women have become part of the decision-making process and are effectively leading in education, healthcare, and social development.​

He said this stands as one of the world’s largest models of women’s participation in democracy.​

Sirsa said, “Prime Minister Modi brought the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to ensure rightful representation for 50 per cent of the country’s population. Had this Bill been fully implemented, 33 per cent of our sisters and daughters would have been in decision-making roles in the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Assemblies.”​

“This was not merely a reservation, but a step towards strengthening India’s democracy,” he said.​

Referring to the historical context of the Women’s Reservation Bill, Sirsa said that from 1996 to 2010, several attempts were made to move the Bill forward, but Congress repeatedly blocked it.​

He said that even the government led by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had tried four times to introduce the Bill in Parliament, but Opposition resistance had prevented its passage.​

Highlighting the Bharatiya Janata Party’s commitment towards women, Sirsa said that the party has not merely made promises, but has actively brought women into the mainstream of leadership.​

Citing examples such as Sushma Swaraj, Uma Bharti, Vasundhara Raje, Anandiben Patel, President Droupadi Murmu, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, he said the BJP has consistently entrusted women with the highest responsibilities.​

–IANS

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