Women's Quota Bill Heads To Rajya Sabha After Lok Sabha Approval. Key Highlights

The historic Women's Reservation Bill, which was approved in the Lok Sabha yesterday, faces another crucial test today during Day 4 of the special parliamentary session, this time in the Rajya Sabha.

This bill aims to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women. It is now up for consideration in the Rajya Sabha for the remainder of the session. To become law as part of the Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill, it may necessitate approval from at least half of the state assemblies.

Despite opposition demands to extend similar benefits to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and implement the measure before the upcoming general elections, the Lok Sabha passed the bill with overwhelming support on Wednesday.

Following its approval in the lower House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude, stating, "I thank MPs across Party lines who voted in support of this Bill.”

Here are the top 10 developments on this significant story:

-The Bill, known as Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam , received overwhelming support in the lower House with 454 votes in favour and only two votes against it. It is now set to be presented in the upper House for passage, where it is expected to be cleared.

-The day-long debate in the Lok Sabha saw a tussle between the Congress and BJP over who should receive credit for introducing this landmark Bill.

-Sonia Gandhi initiated the debate on the women's reservation Bill and remarked, "For the last 13 years, Indian women have been waiting for their political responsibilities, and now they are being asked to wait for a few more years -- two years, four years, six years, eight years."

-Giving credit to her late husband and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, she mentioned that his dream is "only partially complete" after the introduction of the Bill. "It will complete with the passing of this Bill," she said.

-BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who led the debate for the government, countered the former Congress chief, asserting that the Opposition leader was worried by the introduction of the Bill by the Modi government.

-Dubey stated in the Lok Sabha, "The Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has repeatedly said that 'Yahi Samay Hai, Sahi Samay Hai' (this is the time, this is the right time), and this (Women's Reservation) Bill has been brought at the right time."

-The Bill proposes one-third, or 33%, reservation for women representatives in both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. This reservation will be in effect for 15 years from its implementation date, with provisions for Parliament to extend the duration if necessary.

-During the discussion, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi emphasised the need for the Bill to be implemented promptly. He remarked, "Two things seem strange. One, the Idea that you need new census for this bill and new delimitation and I think this bill can be implemented today. I wonder this is not designed to push it forward by seven or eight years and let it play out the way it does."

-Union Home Minister Amit Shah responded, saying, “Let us rise above partisan politics to give women the respect they deserve. Earlier they have been left disappointed four times by Parliament. Let this bill be passed unanimously.”

-PM Modi expressed his gratitude on X (formerly Twitter) after the Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha, stating,"I thank MPs across Party lines who voted in support of this Bill. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is a historic legislation which will further boost women empowerment and will enable even greater participation of women in our political process."