Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati has instructed her party workers to maintain discipline and avoid staging protests regarding the women's reservation bill, asserting that the party's stance on the issue is clear and must be followed. In a statement issued on Monday, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister emphasized that the BSP has consistently supported the reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, but with a sub-quota for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Party Discipline Over Protests
Mayawati's directive comes amid reports of some party members wanting to protest against the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha. She reminded them that the BSP's official position has been to back the bill only if it includes a provision for reservation within reservation for OBCs, SCs, and STs. She urged workers to express their views through proper party channels rather than resorting to street protests.
Background of the Issue
The Women's Reservation Bill, which seeks to reserve 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The BSP has supported the bill in principle but has demanded a quota within the quota for women from backward communities. Mayawati has previously stated that without such a provision, the bill would benefit only upper-caste women.
In her statement, Mayawati said, "Our party has always stood for the rights of the marginalized. While we support the idea of women's reservation, we cannot ignore the need for representation of OBC, SC, and ST women. Our workers should not engage in any protests; instead, they should follow party discipline and wait for the leadership to take the matter forward."
Political Reactions
The BSP's stance has drawn mixed reactions from other political parties. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has welcomed the bill, calling it a historic step towards women's empowerment. The Congress party has also supported the bill but has echoed the BSP's demand for a sub-quota for OBC women. However, some regional parties have expressed reservations, arguing that the bill does not address the concerns of backward communities.
Mayawati's appeal for discipline is seen as an attempt to prevent any internal dissent from weakening the party's bargaining power on the issue. The BSP, which has a significant presence in Uttar Pradesh, has been a key player in the debate over the bill.
