JAMMU,06-09-2023 : Shiv Sena (UBT) activists today paid heartfelt tributes to the Maasaheb Meena Tai Thackeray on her 27th death day, in a programme held at Party’s central office in Jammu.
On the occasion, State President Manish Sahni paid floral tributes to the Maa Meenatai.
Sahni raised the voice on the empowerment of women, who constitute half of the country’s population, and raised the demand for 50 percent reservation for women in all elections across the country.
Sahni said that even after 75 years of independence, women are not being given their due rights in the political arena. The government is organizing programs such as Amrit Mahotsav and hoisting the flag in every household. However, amidst all this, the freedom of women in our independent nation is still surrounded by questions, he added.
Sahni mentioned that laws have been enacted to ensure 50% reservation for women in Panchayats and local bodies in Maharashtra, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. He criticized the draft reservation issued for women in Jammu and Kashmir’s local body elections, demanding an increase in reservation for half the female population to 50%.
Sahni stated that in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, women exercised their right to vote in equal numbers as men, which is a significant milestone in the journey of gender equality in politics in India. However, it is unfortunate that out of a total of 788 members in both houses of the Indian Parliament, only 103 are women, which accounts for a mere 13%. The situation is even worse in State Assemblies, he said.
Sahni mentioned that there is currently a heated discussion taking place regarding the Bill proposing 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, which will be presented in the special session of Parliament from September 18th to 22nd. If the government is inclined towards implementing such a measure, it should be increased to 50% rather than remaining at 33%, he added.
Shiv Sena strongly believed that providing 50% reservation for women will empower and uplift their voices, ensuring their equal participation and representation in the political landscape of the country. On this occasion president Mehila wing Meenakshi Chibber, Gen Secretary Vikas Bakshi, Chairman Rakesh Gupta, vice President Sanjeev Kohli, Balwant Singh, Rajesh Handa , Geeta Lakhotra , Dimple and many others were present.