Women’s Reservation Act 2023 Yet to Be Implemented, Says CPI’s Annie Raja

New Delhi, 28 August – The CPI’s Annie Raja rebutted Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiran Rijiju’s recent statements on the women’s reservation bill, emphasizing that the legislation—passed in 2023 as the Nari Shakti Vandan Act—has already become law. The pending step, she said, is its actual implementation.

According to Raja, the BJP’s reluctance stems from a disbelief in equal political rights for women and an intent to keep them out of the nation’s most powerful decision‑making forum.

She recalled that the demand for a women‑reserved quota has been active since 1996, with the bill even clearing a house in 2010. “The law is on the books; the government must enforce it without the additional hurdles it has set,” she urged.

CPI General Secretary D. Raja added that the suspension of both parliamentary chambers has sparked speculation about the government’s plans, criticizing the silence of the Prime Minister and the minister.

Raja also expressed sorrow over the catastrophic floods in Nepal, noting that many victims, including Indian citizens, remain unaccounted for.