New Delhi: In a recent parliamentary showdown, the Indian government presented the much-anticipated Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha. However, this event quickly escalated into a war of words between the Leader of the Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The heated exchange occurred in the upper house of Parliament, the Rajya Sabha.
Kharge alleged that political parties often choose women from marginalized communities due to their lower literacy rates, suggesting that they prefer "weaker" candidates who cannot effectively compete in politics. He specifically referred to the literacy rates among women from Scheduled Castes, implying that these women were disproportionately represented. Sitharaman strongly rebutted Kharge's assertions, denouncing his generalizations as unacceptable. She emphasized that such sweeping statements should not be made lightly. Sitharaman reminded the house that President Droupadi Murmu is a powerful and empowered woman, challenging Kharge's claims about the selection process of women candidates.
Sitharaman defended her party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), asserting that it has consistently empowered women within its ranks. She subtly criticized the Congress party, implying that despite having women presidents, they still lack empowered female leaders. Kharge later clarified that his remarks pertained to women belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and marginal communities.
This fiery exchange unfolded in the Rajya Sabha shortly after Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha. The bill, officially titled the "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam," proposes a 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Assemblies. It marks the first bill to be introduced in the new Parliament building, inaugurated earlier this year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With support from opposition parties, the bill is expected to receive smooth passage this time.
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