Lame arguments

Sir, - The CEC's recent proposal to make it mandatory for political parties to give a fixed percentage of seats to women candidates, should be accepted by all the parties so that women can turn a new leaf in the country's politics.

It is unfortunate that a few political parties hold the view that urban women would monopolise the scene if the Bill in the present form is passed. This view holds no water as the rural women elected to village panchayats are actively participating in political activities besides attending panchayat meetings. It is the urban women who feel shy of entering politics.

It is also the ploy of political antagonists to divide women into different categories instead of treating them as a single class. It is common knowledge that urban women are subject to greater hardships - dowry deaths, harassment at work places, forced to work both at home and in the office, etc.

It is also silly to think that men would rule through their women in the present reservation system. This fear is unfounded because women are equally educated today and are aware of their rights to ask for their share in politics. A modus vivendi among the political parties is the need of the hour to accommodate the centuries old hope of women.

K. Ushamanohar,

Chitradurga (Karnataka)

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