Patna: After much hue and cry, at last Rajya Sabha has passed the Women's Reservation Bill, one of the most controversial bill, on 9th March 2010. Though its advocates named it a historical step towards women empowerment and necessary for active political participation of women but its opponent termed it as biggest blunder in democratic India and an attempt to deprive Minority and backward classes people.
TwoCircles.net talked to some Muslims in Patna to know their views about the Women's Reservation Bill (WRB). Overall Muslims of Patna appreciate the bill but demand quota for Muslims and other backward women to make sure they are adequately represented.
Mrs Insha, a social activist, while reacting on the topic said: “Woman reservation will benefit only those women who are already in politics or female relatives of politicians or aristocrats who have strong access to political parties.”
“This is nothing but Congress attempt to get political benefit because there is no need of reservations for women. There are many women in India who are working for the society without being in politics and they think that politics is not the only way to work for the development of the country. But I am not against taking part in politics. Of course, women should enter the politics,” she added.
Reyaz Azim Abadi, convener of the Bihar unit of Social Democratic Party of India, said that this bill in present form will cause the further discrimination to the backward classes especially Muslim women.
“With the passage of this bill 55%-22% for SCs &STs and 33% for women- seats will be reserved in Parliament and Assemblies and Muslims who are already under-representation can get their shares only within 45% because Muslims women will be sidelined by political mafias who control almost all major parties. When Muslim men are not given due share then how do I believe that Muslim women will be given their shares?” he asked.
“The real reason behind reduction of Muslim figure in Parliament and assemblies is that according to plan many Muslim dominated constituencies were remapped and reserved for SCs and STs which divested Muslims. After Women's Reservation Bill may be rest of the Muslim dominated constituencies will be reserved for women who obviously will not be from Muslim or backward communities. This bill will harm Muslims more than others. Therefore, the bill will be appreciated in case quota for Muslims and backward class women will be assured” he explained.
“Women's Reservation Bill is a part of conspiracy to push Muslims towards under-representation and backwardness which is designed by BJP and RSS and acted upon by Congress party because elitist groups will capture the reserved seats and Muslim women will be neglected as it has been happening with Muslims men. Thus representation of Muslims which is already inadequate will further reduce in Parliament and Assemblies” said Abu Qaiser, President of Muslim United Front.
“Actually it is an attempt to wash off the issue of Muslim reservation. Congress has been referring to legal complication in implementation of Ranganath Mishra Commission but it has passed the Women's Reservation Bill with full enthusiasm. Why Congress did not act in the same manner for Muslim reservation while all the parties except BJP and Shiv Sena are in the favor of it?” he asked.
He termed Congress more dangerous than BJP which has been following anti-Muslim agendas in independent India. “Muslim organizations and leaders should raise the united voice against it and come out on road because this is the right time to press and gherao the government for Muslim reservation. If we miss this chance then we will never get it” he continued.
Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi, Secratry of Imarat Sharia, said if the bill is really meant to empower the women then it needs some mandatory correction then only it will serve the real purpose.
“Firstly, when some seats are reserved in male quota of Parliament and assemblies for backward class then in women quota also some seats should be reserved for backward class women. Secondly, Muslims have been identified most backward as a community so Muslim women should be given due share in women reservation. Otherwise it will benefit only 15% people who have been controlling the country and 85% will remain deprived as they are,” said Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi who is also Bihar Haj Committee Chairman.
“We welcome the bill wholeheartedly if it has quota for women from Muslims and other backward classes otherwise we throw it in dustbin because it is useless in present form. Actually, when Indian legislative houses reserved 22% seats for SCs and STs, the upper class people could not digest it and they planned to reserve 33% seats for themselves in the guise of women empowerment. Therefore, we oppose it and demand amendment in the bill for reserving seats for marginalized women” opined Hassan Ahmad Qadri, General Secretary of Bihar Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind.
While Rehan Ghani, Managing editor of Urdu daily Pindar, has exclusive view on the issue and termed both favor and opposition of the bill as political gimmick.
“WRB will not help common women to get empowerment. Yes, it will strengthen nepotism and dynasty and thus by the virtue of the bill top politicians will get much strengthen as their wives, daughters and other female family members will also come in the political circle” he said.
“Those who favor the bill and those who are opposing it are not sincere. They all are fighting for their political gains. In the favor of the bill it is said that it will increase the number of women in the legislative houses but question is that whether only increase of number will solve the problem of women or will it empower them. I think not, because men are more capable to raise the voice for women rights than women. Today women who are holding top posts in the politics did not get that with the help of reservation but because of their capacity and determination. So, firstly we need to work for women empowerment, their social justice and education at grass root then we should talk about women reservation so that women from all classes can get their share. Otherwise it will not bring any change for common and downtrodden women.”
He further said: “If government or political parties are really serious for women upliftment then there should be provision that top brass politicians or ministers’ families should not be given tickets to give chances to the common women” he added.
“I strongly support the bill because it will help the society and country. Women have been playing key role in the building of families and countries throughout the history. We can not have a successful and pleasant family without help of women then how a society or country without their contribution? So, the bill will help women to come forward to offer their efforts for the country. I am not in the favor of quota within quota for Muslim or backward class women. There should be equality for all. Yes, political parties should give tickets to all sections of women” said Sultan Ahmad, working president of Citizen Welfare Association.
A housewife Zeba Naqvi summed it up the best. She said, “I do not think that Women's Reservation Bill is in the favor of common women because respectable women feel bad to enter the politics. It is because in India politics is considered dishonorable thing. So, the bill absolutely will benefit those who are already in politics or their relatives are there. There is need to purify the political environment, so that most women can take interest in the politics and there is no need for reservation for women. But if it is given then there should be quota for Muslims and backward women. If not then it is equivalent to opening backdoor for politicians’ families.”
No comments:
Post a Comment