Several women's rights groups today sent a memorandum to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, reiterating their demand for the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament.
Over a thousand women from these groups marched towards Parliament Street here to register their protest and to demand the passage of the Bill in the monsoon session of Parliament, according to a statement issued by the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA).
"Under-representation of women remains a longstanding injustice, with only 64 women MPs in the current Lok Sabha. In this context, we appeal that no move should be made to dilute the Bill in the name of a consensus. We request that the original Bill be passed immediately," the memorandum said.
It also said that the BJP has not honoured its promise on the issue, in its election manifesto.
The Women's Reservation Bill or the Constitution (108th Amendment) Bill, 2008, has sought to reserve one-third of all seats in the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies for women.
Notable among those present at the march were CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat who lamented that India was behind countries such as Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh in terms of women's representation, as per the press statement.
AIDWA, ANHAD, Feminist India, Leprosy Mission, Nari Shakti Manch, Shehri Mahila Mazdoor Union, Swastika Mahila Samiti, YWCA, were among those that participated in the protest march.
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