L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Women’s quota Bill crosses first hurdle

It was a historic day in Indian politics. The passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill by the Rajya Sabha has set an example that India is committed to democracy. The Bill has been hanging fire for the last 14 years. Though the Bill was expected to be passed on the International Women’s Day, it was delayed due to murky politics played by some politicians in the Upper House.

However, ultimately the will of the majority prevailed. It is expected that the Bill will be passed in the Lok Sabha also in due course. The first major hurdle has been crossed. It is really a moment to be a proud Indian. Hats off to democratic India.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh

II

It is beyond doubt that without the help of the BJP and the Left the historic Women’s Reservation Bill would not have been passed in the Rajya Sabha. But it also true that the determination of Ms Sonia Gandhi who cracked the whip and pushed for a vote on the Bill, paved the way to pass the Bill in the Rajya Sabha.

Ms Gandhi has once again shown the world that her renunciation of the post of the Prime Minister was not a gimmick, Now the Bill will move to the Lower House of Parliament. The UPA Chairperson should be vigilant and ensure that business does not suffer on account of belligerency of the Opposition or even the party’s own allies. Ms Gandhi should not forget that in the coalition raj, allies should be consulted. I strongly believe that the 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament will surely change the political landscape in India.

BIDYUT KUMAR CHATTERJEE,Faridabad

III

With the Bill crossing the major hurdle in the Rajya Sabha perhaps a new era for women’s emancipation is all set to dawn. But we have to go beyond the legislation to restore the dignity of women and provide her equality of opportunity beyond gender bias. There is an urgent need to change our mindset and make a beginning.

Women must become part of the work force and not just get tied down to hearth and home. They must be trained to contribute to the GDP. Daughters must be given an equal share in property and a woman’s surname after marriage should not be changed.

RAGHUBIR SINGH,Pune

IV

It is unfortunate that the Women’s Reservation Bill has been passed in the Rajya Sabha that too with a thumping majority. The word reservation must be deleted from the Constitution of India by introducing an appropriate amendment.

Politicians use reservations to serve their selfish and narrow goals and exploit vote banks. I believe the Women’s Reservation Bill is most illogical and absurd idea. Women have the capacity to achieve great levels of excellence on their own, without any help from their male colleagues. This has already been proven over and over again in politics as well as in other spheres of life. If a woman is capable, who can stop her from rising to the top?

M KUMAR, New Delhi

V

The passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha is a significant step towards achieving the goal of gender equality. No one can stop the march of time as time and tide stop for none.

The Yadav trio will fall by the wayside if they continue to play vote bank politics based on region, religion, caste and creed and do not understand the compulsions of the time and age. It is beginning of a new dawn for India.

RJ KHURANA,Bhopal

VI

It is quite obvious that this Bill will be beneficial only for women who belong to affluent sections of society. The Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes reservation policy too is more beneficial for those who are well off.

D G SINGH,Pathankot

VII

This is a significant step towards empowering Indian women. However, the reservations of certain members of the Rajya Sabha about the Bill are justified.

MANA FEROZEPURI,Ferozepur City

Saeed’s tirade To the editorial “Try Saeed for 26/11” (March 9), I would like to add that the tirade against India has again been orchestrated by Pakistan’s Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed. His diatribe is in line with the stereotype speeches delivered since the times of Z A Bhutto who vowed to fight India for a thousand years. Saeed is vainly trying to hold India to ransom by boastfully stating that if India is not prepared to hold talks, Pakistan will have to fight a war at all costs. He should know and so should the Government of Pakistan that any misadventure by Islamabad shall surely boomerang. This also proves that the Pakistan Government is merely a puppet. GURMIT SINGH SAINI,SAS Nagar