National Commission for Women today appealed to political parties like SP and RJD to support the Women's Reservation Bill when it is taken up in Parliament on Monday so that they can be part of the "momentous bill".
NCW chairperson Girija Vyas also thanked parties like Congress, BJP, JD(U) and the Left for supporting the Bill, providing for 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
"We would like to thank Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for steering the Bill to its logical conclusion by bringing it in Rajya Sabha on March 8," she told a press conference here.
Asked about the opposition to the Bill in its present form from parties like SP and RJD, she said, "The NCW wants everyone to support the momentous bill."
"They have one more day to think over. We appeal to everyone to support the Bill. But even if they don't support the Bill, it will still be passed," she said. "It is a golden opportunity for all MPs to be part of such a momentous Bill, which will have far-reaching implications not only on empowerment of women, but future generations."
Asked about SP and RJD demanding reservation within reservation for women from OBC, SC and ST categories, Vyas said she did not think this was possible.
"Reservation within reservation is not possible. SC and ST people already get reservation and there is no need for a reservation in this category," she said.
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Representatives from various womens organisations said March 8 would be a "red letter day" for women in the country.
Some of them even went to the extent of criticising RJD chief Lalu Prasad, saying his party would lose even the four seats it won during the last elections if it doesn't support the Bill.