Samajwadi Party Challenges BJP's Motives on Women's Reservation Amendment
In a sharp political move, the Samajwadi Party's top leadership on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party, questioning the "motive" and "intentions" behind bringing an amendment to the Women's Reservation Bill that failed to pass Parliament's floor test. The party dug out old videos from 2010 showing prominent BJP leaders, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, expressing disapproval of the original bill when it was first introduced by the Congress-led UPA government.
Dimple Yadav Questions Timing and Implementation
SP MP from Mainpuri, Dimple Yadav, directly challenged the BJP's rationale for seeking an amendment to a bill that was already passed unanimously in 2023. "When the Bill was tabled in 2023, all political parties supported it and it was passed, which explains that the opposition was in no way against the Bill," Dimple stated. "If the BJP's sole intention was reservation for women, they would have implemented the Bill passed in 2023. They have other motives behind moving the amendment Bill."
She raised critical questions about the government's approach:
- Why has there been a delay in notifying the 2023 Bill, which was reportedly notified as an Act only the night before it was tabled for amendment this week?
- What is the harm in waiting for the census and caste enumeration before proceeding with women's reservation?
"Once the two exercises are through, a clearer picture of the demography will emerge, which will help to draft better provisions," Dimple explained. "This will ensure that the women standing at the end of the queue in the present social set-up get the opportunity equal to those standing in front."
Akhilesh Yadav Exposes Historical Opposition
SP national president Akhilesh Yadav escalated the attack by posting a 2010 video featuring Yogi Adityanath responding to media queries about the women's reservation proposal. "Those who now want to brand themselves as champions of women empowerment did not back the Bill, saying that most of the members in the Lok Sabha were opposed to the idea," Akhilesh asserted.
He characterized the current amendment effort as a diversionary tactic: "The Bill was an attempt to change the public discourse, which was presently about the failures of the BJP. It is not the Bill but BJP's bad intentions that have been defeated in Parliament."
In the revealing 2010 footage, Yogi Adityanath can be heard arguing that if democracy exists within political parties, the proposed bill should first be discussed internally. "I can say it with certainty that the form in which this Bill has come, 90% of the members of the Lok Sabha are opposed to it," the future chief minister declared. He further warned that "only one or two members on either side were in favour of the Bill and the result of forcing the Bill on every member will not be good for democracy or anyone else."
Historical Context of the Women's Reservation Bill
The Women's Reservation Bill, formally known as the 108th Amendment, has followed a complex legislative journey:
- 2010 Introduction: Originally tabled by the Congress-led UPA government on March 9, 2010, in the Rajya Sabha, the bill proposed 33% reservation for women in both the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
- Initial Progress: The landmark legislation passed in the upper house but ultimately stalled in the Lok Sabha, failing to become law.
- 2023 Revival: The BJP government reintroduced and passed the bill unanimously in 2023, marking a significant legislative achievement.
- Current Controversy: The recent special session of Parliament saw the BJP table an amendment to the 2023 bill, which failed to pass the floor test, sparking the current political confrontation.
The Samajwadi Party's coordinated attack highlights growing political tensions over women's representation in Indian politics, with historical positions being weaponized in contemporary debates about legislative intent and implementation timing.
