Abdul has correctly identified the politics of those opposing the Bill. That politics further stands proved by the fact that Mulayam has openly said he will oppose the WRB EVEN if sub-quota for OBCs and minorities is granted! And Congress' politics is that they can conveniently pose as champions of women's empowerment while letting Laloo Mulayam and Co do the job of ensuring that it is stalled and delayed.
In my article http://www.tehelka.com/story_main44.asp?filename=Op030410opinion.asp I have argued, "Without the aid of reservation, OBC representation in Assemblies and Parliament has increased to form a sizeable contingent, proportional with their representation in the population. That is why the demand for an OBC quota has never arisen, unless in context of the WRB. Opponents of the Bill have argued that privileged upper caste women will steal a march over deprived OBC women, and that is how the Congress and BJP hope to reverse the post- Mandal OBC assertion in politics. Experience does not provide much basis for such fears: in the 14th Lok Sabha, of the 50 women MPs, 30 percent (15) were of the OBC category. In other words, once given a chance, the performance of OBC women in electoral politics seems to match those of OBC men, since politics is not a personality contest, and it is the position of candidate and party in the social balance of forces, rather than individual privilege alone, that is the main consideration in candidate selection, as well as in electoral victory. Notwithstanding the above arguments and evidence, the question of quota for OBC women within the women’s quota should not become a pretext for stalling the Bill, and no objection need be raised to the incorporation of such a quota as long as the 33 percent provision is not diluted.... ...The progressive women’s movement that has been the true pioneer of the Women’s Bill can call the bluff of the ‘pro- Women’s Bill’ camp as well as the ‘social justice’ camp. The question of quota-within-quota for OBCs and minorities should not be allowed to become an excuse for stalling the Bill. Specific provisions for quota-within-quota for these sections can be incorporated into the Bill, but the principle of 33 percent quota for women must not be truncated or diluted, and the Bill must not be indefinitely delayed on any pretext." Having recognised the politics being played with the WRB Bill, there is no need to oppose the demand for quota within quota either. After all, the latter can do no harm, and any genuine concerns or apprehensions in this regard should be addressed non-withstanding the insincerity of Laloo-Mulayam-Maya. And why should we allow this demand to hijack and stall women's reservation itself? On 5 April 2010 22:28, Abdul Rasheed <[email protected]> wrote: > By raising the issue of seperate OBC/minorites reservation, the aim of its > propagators are to stall the WRB indefinitely. Since there are no > reservations for OBCs in general seats, why they demand such reservations > only among WRB. So their purpose is very clear. > > > regards > Abdul Rasheed > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Kavita Krishnan <[email protected]> > Date: Mon, Apr 5, 2010 at 6:16 PM > Subject: Re: [GreenYouth] Fwd: Women's Reservation Bill- Reservation > forDalit/OBC/Minority women- pl endorse > To: [email protected] > > > I have made it very clear in my statement as well as in published writings > that I and my organisation are not opposed to reservation within > reservation. It seems you are so busy abusing me as an 'upper caste > feminist' that you can';t see that I am an ally of anyone genuinely > concerned about representation of women among dalits/OBCs/minorities. But in > that zeal, it does not help to give wrong facts. You weer arguing that the > WRB will lead to fewer dalit women in parltt - I was proving otherwise. > > > On 2 April 2010 08:26, ranju radha <[email protected]> wrote: > >> i havent done a calculation. but it seems that these caste hindu women >> seem to be cleverer than we thought. so how many seats for handful of >> "upper" caste women? and how many for the majoritarian rest? let there >> be populationwise distribution. Why not? >> >> and pls do enlighten me abt the provisions, if not a burden. >> >> And pls tell me how reservation within reservation is going to dilute it? >> >> aslo delighted to see this sudden "upper" caste love for reservation. >> >> On 4/1/10, Kavita Krishnan <[email protected]> wrote: >> > It seems Ranju Radha is unaware of the provisions of the WRB. It does >> > already have provision for 33% quota to apply for the already existing >> quota >> > for SC/STs. So SC/ST women will automatically get more seats (at least >> 40) >> > in Parliament if the WRB is passed. >> > I feel that we should call the bluff of Mulayam Laloo and even Congress >> and >> > say: include a quota for OBCs and minorities to address any genuine >> > misgivings about the lack of representation of these sections - but we >> will >> > not allow the WRB to be indefinitely stalled or diluted on this pretext. >> > >> > On 1 April 2010 09:48, ranju radha <[email protected]> wrote: >> > >> >> "First of all, the SC and ST will automatically have their quota (of >> >> reservation) within (women's) quota." >> >> >> >> >> >> How come? unless u make provisions within it? why are u scared of >> giving >> >> space to Dalit/obc/minority/adivasi women? >> >> >> >> What make one ignore the issue representation of Dalit/adivasi/minority >> >> women? >> >> shear casteism. nothing else >> >> one should have atleast the openness shown by mulayam? >> >> it s shame that these "upper" caste feminists and politicians do not >> >> possess it >> >> tragedy ! >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On Thu, Apr 1, 2010 at 7:48 AM, Sukla Sen <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> >> >>> The "demand" for sub-quota, by no stretch, is a "demand". It's just an >> >>> alibi. A pure and simple "alibi" to block women's reservation. >> >>> First of all, the SC and ST will automatically have their quota (of >> >>> reservation) within (women's) quota. to ask for it is a mere act of >> >>> deception. >> >>> There is no such reservation for OBCs or Muslims in state or central >> >>> legislatures, so there will be none here either. Till some other >> >>> amendments >> >>> are made. >> >>> >> >>> These selfsame worthies, it is pertinent to note, had no problem with >> >>> women's reservation in Panchayats. Because these are too insignificant >> >>> from >> >>> their point of view. >> >>> Nor they are known to ever have raised any women's issues other than >> >>> this. >> >>> >> >>> Sukla >> >>> >> >>> On 31 March 2010 18:38, <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> >> >>>> Dear Ram, >> >>>> Am rather surprised to see this posting by you, that too asking for >> >>>> endorsement. I thought there had been a meeting by WRAG etc at the >> Press >> >>>> club and sub reservation had been rejected. Which Muslim women's >> groups >> >>>> (or >> >>>> other women's groups have you consulted before asking for >> endorsement? >> >>>> Please do let me know. (Though I have refused to be a vociferous >> >>>> advocate of >> >>>> the Women's legislative bodies reservation bill, the goings on in >> >>>> parliament >> >>>> and the SP leader's absurd behaviour and statements have really >> offended >> >>>> many of us.) >> >>>> This statement makes a point about Dalit reservation being >> implemented >> >>>> in >> >>>> Muslim majority areas. Why raise it in relation to the bill for >> women's >> >>>> reservation? And why does a what sounds like a mainly Muslim male >> group >> >>>> of >> >>>> upper or middle class professionals (never mind if some women are >> there >> >>>> too) >> >>>> speak on behalf of other minorities? Which other minority women or >> >>>> women's >> >>>> groups have they consulted? I ask because I have not heard of any >> such >> >>>> demand from any Christian women's groups for example. If you have, >> >>>> please do >> >>>> let me know. >> >>>> �with warm regards, >> >>>> Ammu Abraham >> >>>> >> >>>> ----- Original Message ----- >> >>>> From: ram puniyani <[email protected]> >> >>>> Date: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 8:08 pm >> >>>> Subject: [indiathinkersnet] Women's Reservation Bill- Reservation >> >>>> forDalit/OBC/Minority women- pl endorse >> >>>> To: Ram R Puniyani <[email protected]> >> >>>> >> >>>> > Striving for Muslim Empowerment >> >>>> > Association of Muslim Professionals >> >>>> > 68/69 Umar Manzil, 5th Road, Khar (West), Mumbai 400052 >> >>>> > www.ampindia.org � >> >>>> > [email protected] >> >>>> > >> >>>> > Women's Reservation Bill: Seeking Muslim Representation >> >>>> > Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP), a not for profit, non- >> >>>> > political and non-sectarian organization, endeavours to promote >> >>>> > social welfare, community spirit, and economic prosperity through >> >>>> > education and knowledge augmentation, in the society. AMP had >> >>>> > taken the initiative to provide an unbiased platform, where people >> >>>> > were invited to come and share their opinion on the Women's >> >>>> > Reservation Bill, which was recently passed in the Rajya Sabha, >> >>>> > and will be introduced to the Lok Sabha, very soon. AMP had >> >>>> > conducted discussions and debates on this Bill at various places >> >>>> > in Mumbai, and other cities across the country, and based on >> >>>> > conclusions reached, and feedback from various luminaries, >> >>>> > intellectuals, and the general masses AMP presents its stand as >> >>>> > follows: >> >>>> > 1. The proposed legislation to reserve 33% percent seats in >> >>>> > Parliament, and State Legislatures for women which was first >> >>>> > introduced in the Lok Sabha on September 12, 1996 would only help >> >>>> > women of the elitist groups to gain seats, therefore causing >> >>>> > further discrimination and under-representation of the poor, and >> >>>> > backward classes. >> >>>> > >> >>>> > 2. Reservations for Dalit seats have been made specifically in >> >>>> > areas where Muslims are in substantial numbers, often 50% or more. >> >>>> > So no Muslim can get elected from those constituencies, as Dalit >> >>>> > Muslims have not been granted the 'Dalit' status, in spite of >> >>>> > Ranganath Mishra Commission having recommended it, firmly. AMP's >> >>>> > apprehension is that with women's reservation, the total number of >> >>>> > such 'reserved' seats will further mitigate the chances for >> >>>> > Muslims to get elected. >> >>>> > >> >>>> > 3. Despite having a population of around 16 per cent, Muslims have >> >>>> > only 5.52% representation in the Parliament. Currently there are >> >>>> > 29 Muslim MPs in the country in the 15th Lok Sabha which includes >> >>>> > only three Muslim women MPs (approx 5% ). If 33 % reservation for >> >>>> > women is added to the existing 22.5 % for scheduled castes and >> >>>> > tribes, more than 50 per cent of seats in Parliament would be >> >>>> > reserved. This will result in drastic reduction of the already >> >>>> > ridiculously low representation of the Minorities, especially >> >>>> > Muslims in the Parliament. >> >>>> > >> >>>> > 4. The Sachhar Committee Report, and recently the Ranganath Mishra >> >>>> > Commission have elaborated upon the poor socio-economic condition >> >>>> > of Muslims in the country. As per the Sachhar Committee >> >>>> > recommendations Muslims of the country need pro-active support >> >>>> > from the government for upliftment. The government needs to re- >> >>>> > analyse the Women's Reservation Bill, and make necessary >> >>>> > amendments, keeping in mind the dismal status of Minorities, >> >>>> > especially the Muslim community, in the country. >> >>>> > >> >>>> > 5. AMP is not opposed to women's reservation, but the case of >> >>>> > Muslims, and other religious minorities should not be overlooked. >> >>>> > There should be reservation within reservation for women from the >> >>>> > Muslim and other minority groups. The bill in its current form is >> >>>> > a mockery of the pursuit of societal equality that the great >> >>>> > founding fathers of our nation had envisaged, as it will only >> >>>> > benefit the already dominant classes of the society. >> >>>> > >> >>>> > 6. Women's Reservation Bill was a big hope for Muslim women whose >> >>>> > presence is almost negligible in the Indian political system. >> >>>> > Those hopes have been dashed, because if the Women's Reservation >> >>>> > Bill in its current form becomes a law, there are fair chances >> >>>> > that the number of Muslims may go down. >> >>>> > >> >>>> > 7. This Bill exposes the negligent, and callous attitude of the >> >>>> > major parties towards Muslims, the biggest minority group of the >> >>>> > country. These parties make tall claims about wishing the >> >>>> > involvement of all religious sections of the country in politics, >> >>>> > but when it comes to the reservation of Muslims, they backtrack. >> >>>> > This attitude of the political parties should change if there has >> >>>> > to be any palpable improvement in the development index of the >> >>>> > Muslims, and other marginalized communities. Taking the above >> >>>> > points into context, we, the undersigned, strongly oppose the >> >>>> > existing Women's Reservation Bill in its current form. We appeal >> >>>> > to the political leadership of this country to take cognisance of >> >>>> > the above points and facilitate the representation of Minorities, >> >>>> > especially Muslims in the Women's Reservation Bill, and not >> >>>> > overlook the interests of the marginalised sections of the society. >> >>>> > >> >>>> > >> >>>> >> >>> __._ >> >>> Peace Is Doable >> >>> >> >>> -- >> >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups >> >>> "Green Youth Movement" group. >> >>> To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. >> >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> >>> [email protected]<greenyouth%[email protected]> >> <greenyouth%[email protected]<greenyouth%[email protected]> >> > >> >>> . >> >>> For more options, visit this group at >> >>> http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB. >> >>> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> >> " The so called caste-hindus are bitterly opposed to the depressed >> class >> >> using a public tank not because they really believe that the water will >> be >> >> thereby spoiled or will evaporate but because they are afraid of losing >> >> their superiority of caste and of equality being established between >> the >> >> former and the latter. We are resorting to this satyagraha not becasue >> we >> >> believe that the water of this particular tank has any exceptional >> >> qualities, but to establish our natural rights as citizens and human >> >> beings." >> >> >> >> - Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Mahad Satyagraha Conference, December 25th , 1927 >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups >> >> "Green Youth Movement" group. >> >> To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. >> >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> >> [email protected]<greenyouth%[email protected]> >> <greenyouth%[email protected]<greenyouth%[email protected]> >> > >> >> . >> >> For more options, visit this group at >> >> http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB. >> >> >> > >> > -- >> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups >> > "Green Youth Movement" group. >> > To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. >> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> > [email protected]<greenyouth%[email protected]> >> . >> > For more options, visit this group at >> > http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB. >> > >> > >> >> >> -- >> " The so called caste-hindus are bitterly opposed to the depressed >> class using a public tank not because they really believe that the >> water will be thereby spoiled or will evaporate but because they are >> afraid of losing their superiority of caste and of equality being >> established between the former and the latter. We are resorting to >> this satyagraha not becasue we believe that the water of this >> particular tank has any exceptional qualities, but to establish our >> natural rights as citizens and human beings." >> >> - Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Mahad Satyagraha Conference, December 25th , 1927 >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Green Youth Movement" group. >> To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]<greenyouth%[email protected]> >> . >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB. >> >> > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Green Youth Movement" group. > To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]<greenyouth%[email protected]> > . > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Green Youth Movement" group. > To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]<greenyouth%[email protected]> > . > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB.
