Women's Reservation Bill : Live Updates From Rajya Sabha

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge: When this govt can enact other laws to be enforced immediately, it could not have brought this bill, despite political consensus? Why can women's reservation not be implemented on basis of current figures? The numbers can be enhanced once we have updated data.

#Congress MP KC Venugopal reiterates that BJP members, including its stalwarts such as LK Advani, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Ram Jethmalani, Jaswant Singh, had voted against considering the 64th amendment bill (seeking constitutional recognition of panchayati raj institutions with women's reservation).

"Why is finance minister putting responsibility on the shoulder of other parties? She is asked to clarify BJP's stance."

FM Sitharaman asks for an apology from Derek O'Brien and his 'money, media, muscle power, misogyny remark' to be expunged -

"Hon'ble member said that whenever he mentions PM Modi and HM Amit Shah, he gets under the skin. If he had not mentioned these names, I would have not raised this issue. But by linking these names, his true thought was betrayed. So he must authenticate, or he must apologise."

FM Sitharaman: #BJP has not been against women's reservation. About panchayati raj bill, NT Rama Rao (former Andhra Pradesh CM) said let PM seek a fresh mandate from the people on this issue and then amend the Constitution...

 Ramakrishna Hegde (former K'taka CM) said Rajiv [Gandhi] now wants to run villages from Delhi, we won't allow encroachment on rights of the states. Then, Saroj Mukherjee from CPI(M) said any attempt to reduce power of state in area of local self-government would be resisted. So, it's not the 'BJP gang'

FM Sitharaman responds to a question asked by an opposition leader over how many women members Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has -

"RSS is a 100-year-old organisation committed to public service. They have asked why a separate organisation for women. At least there's an organisation keeping all women working together at par. And let me ask, how long did it take for Brinda Karat to get into CPI(M) polit bureau? She had to fight her way in, and now you are talking about RSS and Sevika committee."

FM Sitharaman: In light of realities before us, it will not be possible to implement this before 2024. Once census is over and delimitation is done, you are going to have women's reservation. So, this is not a jumla.

FM Sitharaman thanks all political parties for extending their support, even with their reservations and questions.

"This bill is a very good start for this new building which is built for the next 100 years."

FM Sitharaman: What better example than how women have been included and are receiving equal treatment in the armed forces? All wings of Indian armed forces allow women in combat roles now. Women officers are getting permanent commission. They are now allowed admission to sainik schools and NDA.

Why a special session? We have a new building for Parliament, new India: We would like this Parliament to deal with one of the best bills it can deal with, with which all of us agree.

FM Sitharaman insists that #BJP has consistently worked for women's empowerment -

"Sankalp se siddhi is PM's principle. In women's issue, we don't do politics, it's an article of faith. All of it is a part of our manifesto."

Finance Minister: When Rajya Sabha passed the 2010 bill, late Sushma Swaraj and former Rajya Sabha member Brinda Karat hugged each other in joy. There's a desire to see this introduced that transcends party lines. Someone asked why focus on Art 370. But this has a very important component of women's empowerment: Women marrying outside J&K were denied ownership of property. By abrogating Art 370, rights were secured to SC, ST, women, and Bakharwals.