Patna, Apr 21 (PTI) Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha announced holding protest marches across Bihar on Wednesday against the “injustices” by opposition parties committed “by obstructing the implementation” of a tweaked women’s quota bill and delimitation bill.
A Constitution Amendment Bill to implement reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of seats in the legislature was defeated in the Lok Sabha last week, as it could not get a two-thirds majority.
Talking to reporters here, Kushwaha said, “Opposition parties have unleashed a great injustice on the people of Bihar. On Wednesday, we will conduct ‘dhikkar marches’ at all district headquarters of our party to protest against the action.” He said the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) has been rooting for both women’s representation in legislatures and delimitation for a long time, but the opposition posed hurdles just as the “demands were about to be met.” “Narendra Modi govt was about to ensure the rights of half the population, but opposition parties obstructed the implementation of the Act,” Kushwaha said.
He claimed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam had provisions to ensure “fair representation of women, including those belonging to SC/ST categories” in the state Assemblies and Parliament.
“There was no provision for reservation to OBC women, as the opposition demanded. But the Union home minister had assured Parliament the government would incorporate OBC women in the reservation framework in future. We think the bill should have been allowed to pass,” the RLM president said.
He said it was “not possible to ensure reservation for OBC women at this point” because the caste census was still underway.
Kushwaha stressed the need for fresh delimitation and an increase in the number of seats in the legislature.
“In the last 50 years, Lok Sabha seats have not increased, since a freeze was imposed by the then Congress government through a constitutional amendment. Our party has consistently rallied for an increase in the number of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assembly,” he said. PTI SUK NSD
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