BSP supremo and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati welcomed the 33% women’s reservation, calling it a late but right step. He also demanded that separate reservation should be made for women of SC, ST and OBC communities. In a statement given in Lucknow, he called it a historic step if marginalized women get special benefits.
Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati’s latest statement regarding women’s reservation, which has been a topic of discussion in the country’s politics for a long time, is pointing towards new political equations. He welcomed the decision of 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, but also raised a question which could become the center of national debate in the times to come.
“It was delayed, but the step was right” – Is the political attitude changing?
Mayawati clearly said that this decision may have come late, but it is a right and necessary step. The final progress on this issue, which has been pending for years, is a relief for many political parties. However, the message implicit in their statement is not limited to just support—it indicates that the BSP wants to maintain its separate and clear identity on this issue.
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Demand for reservation within reservation – why is it so important?
Mayawati raised the biggest and sensitive issue – separate quota for SC, ST and OBC women within women’s reservation. He says that if such a provision is made, it will not only be appropriate but can also prove to be a historic step. They argue that women from these sections of the society are still socially, politically and economically marginalized, and special provisions are necessary to provide them equal opportunities.
Will political pressure increase?
After this statement, the question has started arising whether other parties will also openly support the demand of “reservation within reservation”? Experts believe that this issue can become a big political agenda in the coming elections. Especially in those states, where caste equations influence election results, this debate may intensify.
Women empowerment or beginning of a new debate?
Women’s reservation has long been considered a major step towards empowerment. But Mayawati’s statement has made it clear that the real challenge now is to ensure inclusive representation. If women from different sections do not get proper representation, the scheme may deviate from its original objective. Now all eyes are on what stand the government and other political parties take on this demand.