Women's groups demand passing of quota bill | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Women's groups demand passing of quota bill

IANS | By, New Delhi
Jul 29, 2010 05:42 PM IST

More than 2,000 women from across the country came together for a protest march today demanding passage of the women's reservation bill in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing monsoon session of parliament.

More than 2,000 women from across the country came together for a protest march on Thursday demanding passage of the women's reservation bill in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing monsoon session of parliament.

HT Image
HT Image

More than 350 NGOs took part in the rally. Donning blue caps with '33 Percent' written on it, women, joined by men, sang songs and shouted slogans as part of the protest.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

One of the speakers, Ranjana Kumari, director Centre for Social Research, said they would not give up their struggle till the bill is passed.

"This is not the first time we are protesting. It is a struggle and we are not going to give up. If the bill has been passed by the Rajya Sabha, why is this delay in the Lok Sabha," Kumari told the news agency.

Communist leader Brinda Karat, writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar, actresses Sharmila Tagore and Shabana Azmi, and Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan, among others, also joined in to show their support.

Javed Akhtar was loudly cheered by the crowd during his speech. "It is highly shameful that we have to ask for a right which should have been given to us without asking. But since this is not so, we have to raise our voice. I appeal to the government to take this decision in this session of Lok Sabha otherwise we will blame all those who were against the bill," said Akhtar.

The rally comprised women from the villages, students from schools and colleges in the city - and everybody was determined to get their 'right'.

"This is a fight for justice and not just an issue of women's right. The women of this country are demanding what they should have been given long back," said actress Shabana Azmi.

A few of the activists went to meet President Pratibha Patil.

"It is because of our constant struggle that this bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha even after so many people objected to it. In the name of consensus this bill should not be sabotaged," Brinda Karat told the news agency.

The women's reservation bill seeks to reserve 33 percent of seats in parliament and the state assemblies for women. The government hopes to introduce the bill in the Lok Sabha during the monsoon session.

The bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha March 9 during parliament's budget session amid protests by the Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Janata Dal-United.

These parties are demanding a quota within a quota for Dalits, backwards and minorities.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On