Padma Shri awardee Chutni Mahato has voiced strong support for the Women’s Reservation Bill, calling the Centre’s move to extend the Budget session for its implementation a positive and much-needed step.
She credited the government led by Narendra Modi for finally pushing forward a reform that had remained pending for decades. According to her, previous governments, particularly those led by the Indian National Congress, failed to take meaningful action on the issue despite being in power for long periods.
Mahato also questioned what she described as Congress’s lack of seriousness on the matter, suggesting that the party had not prioritised such critical reforms when it had the opportunity.
Taking a sharp dig at Rahul Gandhi, she expressed doubts about his leadership abilities, stating that he lacks both the credibility and capability to lead the country.
She further highlighted that under the current administration, several welfare schemes targeting women, the poor, and marginalised communities have been introduced, which she believes have had visible positive outcomes.
The Women’s Reservation Bill, officially known as Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, was passed by Parliament in 2023. It proposes 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies, and the Delhi Assembly for a period of 15 years. However, its implementation is tied to the completion of the next Census and the subsequent delimitation exercise.
Mahato’s remarks add to the ongoing political discourse around the bill, which continues to draw both support and criticism across party lines.
With inputs from IANS