In a surprising move, the Narendra Modi Government has revived the long-pending Women Reservations Bill, marking a significant step towards gender equality in Indian politics. The bill, which has been in limbo for 27 years, mandates a substantial 33% reservation of seats in state assemblies and the Parliament for women.
This historic development aims to bolster women’s representation in the legislative process. Introduced in the Lok Sabha recently, the bill is set to be swiftly passed tomorrow and then in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. However, the actual implementation of these reservations hinges on the next delimitation exercise, which will follow the upcoming census.
This means that clarity on the reservations will only emerge in 2027, and the impact on Parliament will be visible during the 2029 General Elections. Following delimitation, the number of Parliament seats is expected to increase to approximately 888, with nearly 293-294 seats earmarked for women.
It’s important to note that these reservations have a lifespan of fifteen years from their commencement. To extend this crucial legislation beyond that timeframe, the bill will need to be reintroduced and passed, a step that seems highly likely given its importance for gender parity in Indian politics.