Himachal Pradesh state assembly today passed an amendment bill, which has raised reservation for women to 50 per cent from one-third. The bill was approved unanimously under Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (amendment) Act, 2008.
Though the Opposition supported the amendment, some of its members raised Constitutional points. Before Himachal Pradesh, states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar have approved similar legislation. Congress member Kuldeep Pathania argued that Article 243 (D) of the Constitution prohibited that reservation more than one-third. He cautioned the government that the decision might not stand judicial scrutiny and was in turn supported by veteran Congress leader Virbhadra Singh.
Totally against any sort of reservation in any sphere,sounds harsh but no one progressed with this policy ever in history.
There has been hue and cry about women reservation bill and some modifications in it for a long time now but i think that such a law itself should not exist. A person (in this case a Man) who has worked for his constituency throughout life will suddenly find that he is not allowed to contest election from that constituency because it is reserved for women. This is really ridiculous in democracy and is definitely biased against men. Shortcuts are not always good. If women want to come to parliament then they should fight in a democratic way with men. This will give them more respect. NCW and other women organizations are misusing the enormous power being bestowed to them and even the media now are acting irresponsibly. When the OBC quota was introduced the media was responsible enough to show both sides of it. But now even they are biased and are blaming politicians in delaying the passage of the bill. This is a sad situation wherein talent and people’s will are given a second seat. The advocacy of such a law shows immaturity and lack of responsibility on the part of the supporters. I hope such a law should not be passed so that any capable PERSON can contest election from the constituency of his/her choice.