Even the presence of three women in the three top posts of the Parliament-Speaker Meira Kumar, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj could not help in the passage of the Women Reservation Bill on the 21st of February last. Feminists believe it to be an unfair deal. They had been fighting for it since 1996! The 18 year old journey had seen high drama, frayed tempers, war of words as it hit many roadblocks. They believed it would be the epitome of Women Empowerment.
If we look back, we shall see that this bill was initially rejected by women representatives in the Constituent Assembly. They felt it was unnecessary since the working of democracy in its normal course would surely ensure the representation of all sections of the Indian Society.
I am against reservation per se and I have my reasons.
Reservation can never be the best way to achieve the goal of empowerment. It just ends up being divisive, deepening the chasm between the different sections of the society. Caste reservation and quota system has failed us so far, except on a few occasions, despite being in place for so long. Problems can never be solved by creating quotas. In fact I believe it to be an insult to us, Indian women, as this bill makes us only look inferior to men!
We can proudly say that we are equal to men, rather better in certain areas! I have never been a victim of gender discrimination. If I am qualified and worthy of a Job or a better Designation, I have always been given that. Why choose our leaders on the basis of their gender? Is being a woman enough to represent women? We also have to keep in mind moneypower and nepotism. Will this bill remedy that? Will the elected lady representative be any different from the existing legislators?
Women will surely make better parliamentarians.They maintain dignity and do not climb up the dais or hurl non parliamentary abuses at the drop of a hat! But such reservations will only ignite groups with sparse representation in Parliment to start asking for quotas as well. Our constitution does not prohibit any law abiding eligible citizen from contesting in the polls. We do not need quotas in party tickets as well.
I wonder sometimes, if the bill is passed, and if duty even at the Siachen Glacier was made mandatory, would we allow our daughters to go for it? Are they made that way? One famous feminist had stated that if women have to face the freezing cold and the shelling there as well, men would become redundant. Well. That could be a way of putting it. But then, if we don't stand shoulder to shoulder, wouldn't this entire 'equality' business be a sham?
Having said that, even I might be tempted to actually support it since a little bit extra, a little boost is always welcome! But on a more serious note, it will infact be a step backwards and can safely be labelled 'superflous'. We are equal to men, aren't we?
(this piece was published in a city based tabloid in Guwahati)
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