Kavitha’s Bharat Jagruthi round table: Political leaders resolve to fight for women reservation bill

New Delhi: A round table discussion for the Women’s Reservation Bill was held in New Delhi. Organized by BRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha, 13 political parties and several civil society organizations participated in Bharat Jagruthi round table.

While opening the house, Kavitha thanked all the dignitaries for their presence and later had a conversation with students.

Earlier on March 10, Kavitha took a one-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, which had the participation of several women's organisations and 18 political parties across 29 states.

On Wednesday, several leaders expressed their free-wheeling views on the Women's Reservation Bill. Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Member of Rajya Sabha, pointed out that the makers of the Indian Constitution ensured that women were given equal rights to vote. “So why does the government in power not table the Women's Reservation Bill to increase women's involvement in legislative affairs,” she said. She requested women to join the political discourse and demand their rights.

Prof. Manoj Jha, a leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and an MP, supported the bill and suggested reservation within the reservation. He emphasized the need to raise the issue in and outside parliament to mobilize people in a bid to put pressure on parliament to act.

Binoy Biswam, a senior leader and Member of Parliament from the Communist Party of India (CPI) said patriarchal tendencies have prevented the Bill from being passed. He lamented that even in the 21st century, women are denied rights even in matters related to childbirth and in the Parliament. Biswam hailed K. Kavitha's initiative as a movement towards empowering women.

Pratibha Singh, Chief of the Women's Wing of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), and Bhupinder Chaudhary, leader of the same party, emphasized the importance of empowering women, especially those in rural areas who may not even be aware of the ongoing discussions about the Bill.

Mahua Maji, a Member of Rajya Sabha from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), said while India is celebrating the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the representation of women in Parliament is still low.

Raghav Chaddha, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), supported MLC Kavitha's demand for the Women's Reservation Bill. He urged the government, which has a clear majority, to prioritize important reforms and bills for the greater good of the country.

Extending support for the Women’s Reservation Bill, MP from Samajwadi Party (SP) Dr. ST Hassan stated that a country cannot be a superpower if the women of the country are not given their due share, respect, and most importantly adequate representation’

Thol Tirumavalan, MP from Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) Party opined that Women’s Reservation Bill is the need of the hour and the delay is grave injustice towards the people of this nation.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian assured Kavitha that they would use all available interventions to make women's reservation legislation a reality.

Gurnam Singh Chaduni and Rajewal, the Farm Union Leaders, attended the discussion and emphasized that women played a crucial role in the farmer's protest, which ultimately forced the government to repeal the 3 farm Laws. They asserted that delaying the Women's Reservation Bill is not a solution.