WUNRN
India - Guild of Service
Dr. Mohini Giri
INDIA: Guild of Service is appealing to all to use the
occasion of International Women’s Day, 8 March, to protest against the
humiliation that the Indian women have experienced in the hands of the
political class.
On the issue of 33% representation for women in Parliament
and State Legislatures, we seek your support and urge you to express solidarity
towards us not because we want the piece of legislation passed, but as mark of
protest at the manner in which the women of India have been treated. The
political leaders have not had the courage to say “no” or “yes”, instead they
have done the unforgivable act of keeping the women of the country guessing,
waiting, testing their patience and using the issue whenever it suits
them.
Many of us have been struggling for the last ten years to
get our elected representatives to act on the pledge and electoral assurance
they have given to the women of India during the general elections of 1996,
1998, 1999 and 2004. The second major coalition is on the verge of completing
its term. Every national party and members of two leading coalitions, NDA and
UPA, have been involved in this decade-long wait and watch stance towards the
issue. Ostensibly, no one has objection to it, some have sought modification,
others are backing it and yet no one is willing to act.Women are at best a
“potential” and not necessarily a real vote bank. It is the men who have
brought governments down, so no one can risk their wrath and
disenchantment.
Today, we are disheartened and concerned by the
manner in which the political class has handled this issue but have now reached
a point where we need to confront the stark reality that women do not count. It
is assumed that women can be “managed”. Just as the British denied us the right
to be a sovereign nation on the ground that India cannot be a nation state as
its society is divided on caste, creed and religious lines, the political class
is today spouting the same arguments for the women of the country.
We agree that we are not a homogenous group. We agree that
it is not necessary that if women are given political representation they will
fight for the betterment of other women. Yet we raise the demand. Why? The answer is for the simple reason that we
would like to create a level playing field for the women. We would like to
create for the women the space and opportunity to be part of the political
process, give expression to their concerns and needs and prevail upon the
people in authority to hear them out with a sense of obligation and
responsibility towards them. Most importantly, we do not want our fate to be
decided by others. We would like to have a critical presence in decision making
bodies so that we cannot only speak for ourselves but are also accountable to
the large mass of women, who have been denied many of their basic entitlements
and rights.
We all know that gender inequality and discrimination is
rampant in our country. We have statistics to prove this stark reality. In last
ten years, the political class has demonstrated time and again that they are
afraid to face the issue. We have witnessed a series of humiliating, insincere
and feeble actions taken by the politicians to prevent the resolution of the
issue either way. We urge you to join us in fighting against this unprecedented
betrayal by the political leaders
Next Steps
Please declare 7th March, on the eve of the
International Women’s Day as the “Betrayal Day” when we collectively
demonstrate our deep disappointment and rightful indignation with this decade
long charade.
Plan the protest in any way you want to, using powerful
tools such as satyagraha, black band, candlelight vigil, silent rallies, prayer
meetings, solidarity meetings to mark the occasion
Ensure that mass media is informed and brought on board to
the extent possible
We can create a Secretariat which has representation from
each State who will be empowered to coordinate and bring activities together
under a common platform
Once this protest is launched, let us work towards making it
a year long campaign and ensuring that unlike the General Elections of 2004 in
the forthcoming General Elections, there is vigorous debate and brainstorming
on the issues
Why are we
symbolizing 7th March as the Betrayal
Day?
1996- An
Aborted Effort
In 1996 the United Front Government made a unsuccessful
attempt on 12 September 1996, to introduce the Bill. The introduction of the
Bill was prevented
1998- Brutal
Assault in Parliament on the Women’s Reservation Bill
After five adjournments on the fateful day of 13 July 1998,
at 5.30 p.m. when the Union Law minister Mr. M. Thambidurai rose to introduce
it, we witnessed an unprecedented act, an act that brought “shame” and
“disrepute” to the August Body of Parliament. The RJD MP Mr. Surendra Prasad
Yadav went to the well of the House, snatched the copy of the Bill and
physically prevented its introduction. The speaker responded by adjourning the
House
1999-The 13th
Lok Sabha and Lack of Political Will
Major Parties pledged 33% representation in the Election
Manifesto
Made an election issue by the electronic news channels and
out of all the
Women related issues like women’s health, education, crimes
against women the issue of reservation received the most coverage
Promises not kept
Empty rhetoric
2000-01-
Compromise is the Mantra of the Day
The Geetha Mukherjee Report sidelined and recommendations
put into cold storage, reducing women’s demand for 33 % representation in
elected bodies to a narrow numerical alternative and suggesting 33% representation
within parties
Women continue to a victim of the age-old divide and rule
policy
2002- Issue of
33% Reservation pushed to the margins
With politics severely polarized, women victimized in many
ways. 33% issue temporarily eclipsed
2003- “Revival”
of the Bill for Political Advantage
The impasse in Parliament continues
Within parties building support for alternative formula of
strengthen gender representation in parties
2004
It is no longer an election issue. The Media gives it an
un-ceremonial burial
Out of the 1342 development stories telecast on the six news
channels during the nine weeks of campaign there was barely 18 news reports on
women’s reservation.
2005-06 –
Political Stalemate
From NDA to UPA-Irresolution, Political Charade and
Haranguing
2007-
The Bill is in a “comatose” state, neither a “potential”
social issue not a political promise that must be redeemed
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