The Hindu : Women's bill

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 21, 2003

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Women's bill

Sir, — The Women's Reservation Bill could not be passed in Parliament once again. I fully agree with the concept of reservation for women in Parliament. Seventy-five per cent of that quota should be allotted to educated women. The Rajya Sabha member, Shabana Azmi, was right in expressing her anguish at the Bill not being tabled. She would be more right had she insisted on allotting seats to educated and competent women, who would ensure good governance and put India on the top in these days of globalisation. Everybody speaks of sensible society. Ms. Azmi and her likes should insist on bringing out necessary amendments to the Constitution in this direction.

Anil Sivudu,
Vishakapatnan, A.P.

Sir, __ This is with reference to the article `Seeking a fair share' ( May 18 ). It would be an illusion to think that 33 per cent of reservation in legislatures would solve the problems facing the womenfolk of the country. As is evident from history, nearly 92 per cent male representation in Parliament has not solved any major problems such as unemployment, inflation, low-cost education and even clean drinking water. The additional presence of women will not make much difference. The middle class will not be duly represented under the aegis of the so-called reservation.

Any representative for legislatures should be elected on the basis of his or her talent. And it cannot be guaranteed in the present political atmosphere that all the women under the reservation will be talented to represent their constituency. And finally, in the run-up to filling the quota, they will become possible targets of exploitation by the party.

K. Malikul Azeez,
Chennai

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Opinion

Stories in this Section

Pakistan and the Hizb

Monsoon mystery

The madrassas in India

Politics and the rule of law

Make the victims shed the fear