Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Should Women’s Reservation Bill be passed?' that was published in Newsband

Should Women’s Reservation Bill be passed? 

Talk about the Women’s Reservation Bill began on March 8, International Women’s Day. President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President Hamid Ansari called for reviving the Constitution (108th) Amendment Bill to reserve for women one-third of seats in Parliament and the State legislatures. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not revealed his mind yet.

In the two decades since Women's Reservation Bill was first presented in Parliament, different governments tried clearing it but faced tremendous opposition, often accompanied by manhandling and name-calling.

There is no doubt about the fact that to have more women in legislatures and the government is a big step towards empowering women in society. The experience of several village panchayats that have women as effective leaders bears testimony to this fact.

But should women control 33% of the power at home or outside in this country and have full freedom? They have equal rights and freedoms in so many areas and they should do well enough to drive men completely out in those fields by merit. If they can do these why do they need 33% reservation?

Before any bill is tabled before the Parliament, the legislature should first study the necessity and objective of the bill. Majority of men and women do not like politics or they don't want to be a politician. The most developed nations in Europe and North America have only 10% to 15% women choosing politics, where women are more liberal and enjoy more freedom. Whereas in India most of elected women are controlled by their male counterpart (husband, brother, father, etc) and they are forced into politics because of this law.

The other most important argument is, so far people have not elected representatives on the basis of gender, they elect based on the current trend in politics. Women like Indira Gandhi, Mamta Banarjee, Jayalalithaa, Vasandare Raje and many others chose politics. A bill should be tabled and representation based on the gender membership ratio of each party.

Though seat are reserved for women in panchayat election, the decision making power is enjoyed by their male relatives. Now the question is why we should allow reservation in parliament and state legislature for women who follow these practises?

It is true that women constitute almost 50% of population and law makers should give them a chance to evolve in political field. From the day we obtained freedom, women participation in the democratic process of the country happened only for namesake. The question here is will women unite and take this unique opportunity to let their voices be heard?

Some men argue as to why there should be a special place for women? They should unite and fight on their own. If Air India could fly a non-stop all women flight from Delhi to LA and back, do women need special place? Certainly no. They should work together and fight men in all spheres. Asking for a women's bill is only saying that they are weak and want support.

The Prime Minister is for women empowerment in all spheres. But it is true that Chauvinism rules the roost. What is lamentable is, it rears its ugly spectre in the genders. What is urgently required is the change of heart or attitude at both ends. Man is becoming more and more defensive lest he loses his existing position. He feels endangered of replacement by the female of the species. Both have to realise the need for treating the other as equal and not to dominate each other whenever a chance opening is there. It has to be an overall change that is the surefire method to ensure gender equality not the number game. Are we to go by the population ratio or the normative need of conforming to high ideals? All are born equal as human beings with constructive and overarching roles for each and everyone. What women want is a fair and equal say as law makers and as stake holders not only in Parliament but in any form of activity.

India is still a patriarchal society. A few countries in the West more so in the Nordics gives equal representation to women in all walks of Life along with their male counterparts both in Government and also in Employment, hence it is not termed as reservation in the Nordics but as women representation and is mandatory which is rare in India