People's Democracy

Women�s Organisations Flay Consensus Ruse

THROUGH a joint statement issued from New Delhi on April 6, several national level organisations of women expressed their concern that the joint meeting of political parties called by the UPA government on April 5 has once again reverted to the old argument of seeking a consensus on the 33 per cent Women�s Reservation Bill, before placing it in the Lok Sabha. This is nothing but an excuse to delay its passage, said these organisations, viz the All India Democratic Women�s Association (AIDWA), National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), Joint Women�s Programme (JWP), Centre of Women�s Development Studies (CWDS), GOS, All India Women�s Congress (AIWC), Muslim Women�s Front (MWF), All India Dalit Mahila Adgikar Manch (AIDMAM), Young Women�s Christian Association (YWCA) and SMS.

The said organisations are of the categorical opinion that the UPA regime must not use the lack of unanimity as a ruse to postpone the introduction of the reservation bill in Lok Sabha, which is unfortunately what has been happening for fourteen long years. Those opposed to the existing bill had never given any indication of having altered their stand. These organisations have also reiterated their earlier position that any other issue pertaining to the bill may be addressed separately. They said the women of this country will not tolerate or accept any delay on the pretence of building a consensus.

Therefore these organisations have demanded that the government make good on its public commitment to the bill by introducing it as soon as the Lok Sabha reconvenes and by ensuring its passage. 

The signatories to the statement were Ms Sudha Sundararaman (AIDWA), Ms Annie Raja (NFIW), Dr Jyotsna Chatterjee (JWP), Dr Mary John (CWDS), Dr Mohini Giri (GOS), Ms Gomti Nayar (AIWC), Ms Sugra Mehdi (MWF), Ms Vimal Thorat (AIDMAM), Dr Beulah Shekhar (YWCA) and Kusum Sehgal (SMS). (INN)