The Women's Bill that was to be amended in the Indian Parliament went through a lot of trouble and hurdles before it was finally passed. There are various things that we have to understand about the Women's reservation bill. The bill that was to amend the constitution has been pending in the anvil for the last 15 years through the times of various political parties. It has never been debated or passed over the last 15 years due to various reasons till the Indian government decided that it was time for the passing of the constitutional amendment to provide reservations and quota in the various constituencies.
The timing of the bill
The reservation bill that had to be passed was tabled in the parliament at the time when all the political parties were just tired after the budget. There were many parties that were fighting to ask the government to roll back the petrol and the diesel prices that had been increased by the government. The controversies and the infighting due to the tabling of the women's bill has made the budget and the other issues to be forgotten.
The resistance against the bill:
There was resistance for the bill to be passed in the parliament. The resistance was from various quarters. These included the regional parties that were for the upliftment for the various backward castes. The reason for the resistance of these parties against the bill was that they were of the idea that the reservation for the women would cause more women from the upper castes to be elected to the houses of the parliament. This was because more women from the upper castes were educated and already in the public life. On the other hand, the lower castes of the country had very few women who had the ability to fight in various elections.
The support for the bill:
The support for the bill came from various political parties across the spectrum. The opposition parties and many of the allies were also part of the group that was supporting the bill. This was because they were genuinely interested in the upliftment of the women in the country. This legislation will be the first step in the various methods that are used in the empowerment of women of the country. As more women enter the mainline political scenario, it becomes easier for the other women in the country to benefit from it. It also helps the women of the country to be motivated by the legislation and try to enter the political scenario.
The reservation for women in various electoral constituencies of the country may cause further controversies, but it is a first step that the country has taken in the empowerment of women. The entry of women in the country by being elected into parliament will cause more women from the weaker sections to have a better life and will cause the women of the country to achieve equality with men in the long run. This is what makes this amendment to the Indian constitution very important.
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