JD(S) criticises Cong over women’s reservation bill

Mangaluru: Janata Dal (Secular) Dakshina Kannada unit on Friday strongly criticised the Congress-led opposition over its stand on women's reservation, accusing it of adopting double standards and acting against democratic principles.

Addressing reporters in Mangaluru, district president Jake Madhava Gowda said the opposition should have supported the empowerment of women instead of creating obstacles over what he described as trivial reasons. He alleged that the Congress, which failed to implement women's reservation while in power, was now delaying the bill with excuses, exposing what he called its anti-women attitude.



Gowda said the NDA govt was making a sincere effort to give legal backing to women's reservation rather than merely making announcements. The move was essential at a time when women's role in governance and public life needed greater recognition and respect.

Recalling past efforts, he said former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda had introduced a bill in Parliament seeking 33% reservation for women, but it did not receive Congress support. Deve Gowda had played a key role in providing reservation for women in the Panchayat Raj system in Karnataka, he said.

Highlighting the need for the bill, Gowda said women make up nearly half of India's population but remain under represented in Parliament and state assemblies. He pointed out that women currently account for only about 14% of Lok Sabha members and said the proposed 33% reservation would improve direct participation and advance gender equality.


He also argued for increasing parliamentary representation in line with population growth. Referring to the unchanged number of Lok Sabha seats since 1971, he said each MP now represents far more people than before, weakening democratic representation. The new Parliament building, designed to accommodate 888 members, reflected future requirements, he added.
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