Lok Sabha passes Women's Reservation Bill with overwhelming majority

On Wednesday night, the Women’s Reservation Bill was approved by the Lok Sabha with 454 votes. In the Lower House of Parliament and state legislative assemblies, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam will provide 33% of seats to women. The Opposition leaders angrily emphasised the point that it may take several more years before the planned law is really implemented.

“The proposal has been passed with more than a two-thirds majority of the members present in the house,” Speaker Om Birla announced after the voting.

Two lawmakers opposed the bill, but 454 others voted in favour of it. Before becoming a law, the bill must now be approved by the upper house of the parliament and at least half of India’s state assemblies.

Since the legislation was first submitted in 1996, six attempts to enact it have failed, often due to fierce opposition from MPs. According to official statistics, there are just 104 women MPs in India right now (out of close to 800).

The quota won’t go into force until India’s 2021 census, which was postponed indefinitely because to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furious opposition leaders claim that the bill is an election “jumla” designed to “gets the headlines today.” Additionally, lawmakers have criticised the lack of OBC reservations.

“Some people on social media are saying that this bill should not be supported as there is no reservation of OBC, Muslims. If you don’t support this bill, will reservation happen sooner? If you support this bill, then will at least be guarantee…” Home Minister Amit Shah told the Lok Sabha.

No timeframe has been given for the census and delimitation exercise – and in turn for the start of women’s reservation.

“Census and delimitation exercises will be conducted soon after the elections, and women will have a greater voice in the Parliament,” Shah informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.