'Reservation Bill is a celebration of our regard for women'

MANMOHAN SINGH:
We have to recognise that, despite various efforts that have been made in independent India for social and economic development, our women have faced enormous difficulties. Our women face discrimination at home. There is domestic violence. They face discrimination in their unequal access to education, healthcare, etc. All these things have to end if India is to realise the full potential of its social and economic development. The Bill that is going to pass today is a historic step forward in strengthening the process of emancipation of India’s women. It is a celebration of India’s regard and respect for its women in its culture and civilisation. What we are going to enact today is a small token of our homage to the sacrifices that our women have made in the processes of nation building and freedom struggle. I recall also the contribution of late Gita Mukherjee. She was the chairperson of the standing committee that reported on the first Bill that came before Parliament. I also thank Jayanti Natarajan, the chairperson of the standing committee that processed this important Bill.

BRINDA KARAT:
Sir, don’t mention the name of Natchiappan. He was the one who opposed the Bill.

MANMOHAN SINGH:
But, I should also mention his name... (Interruptions)...

SITARAM YECHURY:
Men have also contributed... (Interruptions)...

MANMOHAN SINGH:
Sir, some Members have expressed reservations that they would have liked to see some recognition of disabilities of the minorities, the disabilities of backward classes, of the SC/ST. I do recall and I do recognise that our minorities have not got an adequate share of the fruits of development. Our government is committed to work sincerely for the empowerment of minority communities. There are many other ways. The process has already begun. We will attend to this task with all sincerity. This Bill is not an anti-minority Bill; it is not an anti-Scheduled Castes Bill; it is not an anti-Scheduled Tribes Bill. It is a Bill that carries forward the process of emancipation of women. It is a major, and joint, step forward.

M VEERAPPA MOILY:
Chairman, Sir, today is a historic day because all of us are paying our debt to our mother. I must congratulate all the Members, irrespective of parties, who have rendered whole-hearted support, which is not a mechanical support. There are some misgivings that have been expressed both inside the House and outside. I need to clarify a few. After passing of this Constitutional amendment, there will be a law that will be passed by Parliament, which will look into the determination of seats and also decision on quotas, so that some of the concerns expressed today can, definitely, be addressed. Determination of seats and the reservation will be addressed by a separate law, just like the Delimitation Act. So, that will be addressed. We need to look into those matters and we will come out with a legislation... (Interruptions)...

S S AHLUWALIA:
Sir, you said, ‘it is ‘quota’.

M VEERAPPA MOILY:
That was wrongly said... (Interruptions).. That was slip of tongue. That was wrongly said... (Interruptions)...

RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD:
That should be clarified... (Interruptions)...

M VEERAPPA MOILY:
I think it is clarified. The last point that I would like to clarify is about the reservation of the OBCs, minorities and the rest. As you all know, as of today, we have reservation only for the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes. We do not have the data for the entire nation because no national census has been done after 1931. A backward class in one state may not be the backward class in another state. If we want real reservation for OBCs and minorities, we need to address many other issues. I do not want to prolong this. I commend this Bill for consideration and passing by this House.

(Excerpts from the debate on Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha on March 9, 2010)