Page 36 - NIS ENGLISH 1-15 May, 2026
P. 36
New India and
Women-led
Leadership
Cover Story
Despite the Opposition’s persistent
Q demands, why was a separate quota for
Muslim women not included within the
scope of women’s reservation?
The Constitution of India contains no provision
A for reservation based on religion. Reservation
policies are grounded in the criteria of social
and economic backwardness, as stipulated in the
Constitution.
Why did the government Did the government introduce this
Q not implement women’s Q Constitutional Amendment Bill merely
reservation immediately in to defer the caste census?
the 2024 general elections, A
rather than deferring it until The Government initiated the time-bound
2029? Furthermore, why was process for the caste census three months
it not implemented based ago; therefore, the question of deferring
on the 2011 census data? it does not arise. Under the current
census methodology, the enumeration
Delimitation is a prerequisite of households is being conducted first;
A for implementing reservation. subsequently, during the enumeration of
Delimitation is a comprehensive process that individuals, caste-related information will
involves extensive consultation. Completing also be comprehensively recorded.
the delimitation exercise typically takes
approximately two years. Therefore, these three Why was a separate ‘Union Territories
bills were introduced alongside the Delimitation Q Bill’ introduced specifically to extend
Bill to pave the way for the implementation of women’s reservation to Union
women’s reservation. Territories such as Jammu & Kashmir,
Delhi, and Puducherry?
If women’s reservation was not scheduled to A
Q be implemented in the 2024 general elections, The Legislative Assemblies of Jammu
why was the Women’s Reservation Bill & Kashmir, Delhi, and Puducherry are
introduced in 2023? governed by distinct ‘Union Territories
Acts.’ This technical amendment was
In 2023, under the leadership of Prime Minister deemed essential to reserve approximately
A Narendra Modi, the Central Government 38, 23, and 10 seats for women—
introduced the Women’s Reservation Bill. This bill respectively—within these legislative bodies;
was passed unanimously in the new Parliament hence, a separate ‘Union Territories Bill’ was
building and subsequently received approval from introduced for this purpose. n
the Rajya Sabha. The bill garnered support from
all quarters, thereby transforming the ‘Nari Shakti
Vandan Bill’ into an Act of Parliament.
34 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || May 01-15, 2026
