Bhubaneswar: The Women’s Reservation Bill has been enacted to a law with the consent of the President of India. Coincidentally, the President of India is a woman. Before Droupadi Murmu become the President another woman, Prativa Patil had adorned the office. It is not only the highest constitutional post of the country has saw woman, the country had got the most powerful prime minister, Indira Gandhi.
Before the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 put in place Indian States have been ruled by as many as 16 women chief ministers.
One of them Janaki Ramachandran held office for only 23 days. But there was Shiela Dikshit, perhaps the most dignified politician, who headed the government of the UT of Delhi NCT for three full terms. Vasundhara Raje, Jayalalithaa and Mamata Banerjee are by any standards really powerful politicians. Only in Rabri Devi’s case rumours of spouse-capture have been heard. The first woman CM – Sucheta Kripalani- was strangely from UP, a State always accused of patriarchy. Though, Mayavati ruled the State as CM after several years. Another interesting fact is that besides J&K, one more State has had a Muslim woman CM – Anwara Taimur of Assam.
“One can guess what will happen when the Women’s Reservation Act becomes operational!
And can the Western world hold a candle to us?
By Ardhendu Sarangi
(Retired Senior IAS Officer)
