Chandigarh, March 19, 2010
Jassi Khangura MLA
Punjab's Most Responsive MLA
A Punjab MLA makes the case for more women in his House
The controversial passage by the Upper House of the Women’s Reservation Bill providing one-third reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies has exercised many minds. On the eve of the Rajya Sabha ruckus on this issue, I happened to hear numerous critical voices in the Central Hall — but none prepared to either go on record or convey their views to their own leadership! So much for testosterone.
As a man, I wonder what choice India really had. As a father of a son and a daughter, I feel the same: for I am all too aware that the path for my daughter to enter politics would be much rockier than that my son would walk — assuming, that is, that either would wish to! And as an MLA, I wonder how we could have accepted for so long a system that delivers today in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha of 117 members just seven women — three in the ruling alliance, four in the opposition Congress.
I also know that when my mother contested and narrowly lost the 2002 Punjab assembly election she was not the first choice; she only contested because, at the time, both my father and I were British citizens. But I also know that as a woman she was disadvantaged, treated as an underdog because her principal opponent was male. Of course, many female candidates have defeated men, but far more have lost. Hence, the real need for women-only contests.
One argument against the quota is that it is “anti-meritocracy”. But India’s political arena is hardly a fully fledged meritocracy. Criminals, members of “favoured families” and film stars gain tickets to stand, rather than those who have proven themselves in their respective parties over time.
But why I really support the new bill is that in spite of 63-odd years of independence, India still remains an extremely male-dominated society. We have just not been able to ensure sufficient female participation in the institutions of state; and sex discrimination is as bad today as it was in 1947. Women are still expected to be good mothers, wives, teachers and nurses, but not to climb the ladders of governance.
None of the remarkable women we think of first today might have achieved their position because of quotas; but we have to think how many women are simply excluded without those quotas. Excluded due to favouritism, nepotism or capitalism. The quota system may not mean that just any woman will be shovelled into a position as an MP or an MLA. But it does mean that those women who are already long-standing party members, or who wish to transit into politics from another field, can stake a claim to do so more easily.
This bill may yet be undermined if the new female legislators commonly turn out to be wives of legislators, pushed by their husbands into a position where they will be “caretakers” of the seat until it is once again available to men. This bill must open the door to legislative participation to those families that have not been involved before. In any case, with fewer seats for men both main parties must ensure that those selected are from the better of the available options.
As in India, internationally, politics and corporate life have a structure overwhelmingly biased towards men. India can lead the world with the passing of this bill, achieving an elected representative ratio that even the UK and the US do not have. It is indeed a bold and brave move, but it’s the kind of move that only a country like India would take. We don’t go by the “norms” here. We never have. And when it results in a bill like this being passed, I’m especially glad for our independent ways.
Young women, in particular, should be inspired by this bill. Politics has suddenly become a genuine option for them. Half our population may now start to think differently about how this country is run. That’s a 100 per cent increase in brain power applied to our national issues. Let no one say that will only benefit the women who form 33 per cent of the House.
The real test for the main political parties is whether they will now abolish their mahila wings and introduce a similar quota within their own party organisations. For good governance starts at home and the “tokenism” of the past has to be well and truly confined to the dustbin. If grown men cry as a result, they will have to wipe their own cowardly tears.
The writer represents Qila Raipur in the Punjab assembly
