The All India Mahila Congress staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Monday, demanding the immediate implementation of 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
The demonstration was led by Mahila Congress President Alka Lamba, alongside several party leaders and supporters, all urging the government to expedite the process of ensuring greater representation for women in Indian politics.
Holding placards with slogans such as “Kahe har Bharat ki naari, abhi lagu karo 33% hissedari” (Every woman in India demands the immediate implementation of 33 percent reservation), the protesters called for swift action to guarantee women's participation in decision-making bodies.
They emphasised that the government should not delay in enforcing this long-awaited provision, which aims to increase female representation in legislatures.
The demand stems from the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, passed in 2023, which mandates that one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies be reserved for women.
This constitutional amendment was nearly unanimously passed by the Lok Sabha and unanimously by the Rajya Sabha.
However, its implementation is contingent on the completion of the next census and the delimitation process, which will determine the specific constituencies that will be reserved for women.
As per the legislation, the reservation for women will be applicable for 15 years, with an option for Parliament to extend it in the future. However, many activists and political leaders believe the process is moving too slowly, delaying much-needed reforms in political representation.
The demand for increased women’s participation in governance is gaining momentum across various states. Recently, the Madhya Pradesh government approved an increase in women’s reservation in government recruitment from 33 percent to 35 percent.
Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla confirmed that the state cabinet had officially approved this decision, describing it as a significant step towards women’s empowerment.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also expressed his support, stating that his government had taken historic steps to strengthen women’s representation in the state.
He highlighted that Madhya Pradesh is now the first state in the country to provide 35 percent reservation to women in government jobs.
Before this, the Rajasthan government, led by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, had also introduced 33 percent reservation for women in the police department, ensuring more opportunities for women in law enforcement.
Despite these progressive steps at the state level, national leaders and women’s rights advocates continue to push for the swift implementation of the 33 percent reservation in Parliament and state assemblies.
The Mahila Congress and its supporters argue that without immediate action, women’s political participation will continue to be sidelined, delaying efforts towards gender equality in governance.
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