‘33% reservation not about party tickets,but empowerment’

“There should be reservation in Parliament and the Legislative Assemblies. We are still talking about just 33 per cent. South Africa on the other hand has 50 per cent reservation for women. For women to get equal rights,the Women’s Reservation bill has to be passed,” she said,adding that the Mahila Congress had sent a proposal to the Prime Minister seeking reservations for women in government jobs as well.

“The proposal has been included in the Congress manifesto and the agenda set by the UPA-led government,” she said. Also present was the youngest Cabinet Minister of India and P A Sangma’s daughter,Agatha Sangma,of the NCP.

“The issue is not only about political empowerment but social and economic empowerment as well. In certain states in the Northeast,girls have the right to ancestral property,which is a good thing,” said the Minister of State for Rural Development.

Speaking on the Reservation Bill,Sangma said that it is not a battle of the sexes. “Awareness is required on part of men as they need to realise that they have equal responsibility. Similarly,women also need to realise that men are not enemies and that peaceful co-existence is possible,” she said.

Echoing Thakur’s views at the event was Vani Tripathi,general secretary of the BJP’s youth wing. Though rivals,Tripathi and Thakur shared identical views as far as the Reservation Bill is concerned.

“Thirty-three per cent reservation of women should be implemented. But it should not be just about party tickets but empowerment with a larger perspective,” said Tripathi. She added that women’s reservation does not mean ticket distribution,but honing the skills of a potential leader.