Bengaluru, April 16 (NationPress) In light of the Centre’s initiative to implement a 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies through the Women’s Reservation Bill, the Karnataka BJP has proclaimed this day to be etched in golden letters.

During a press conference at the BJP state office “Jagannath Bhavan” in Bengaluru on Thursday, prominent BJP leader and MLC Bharathi Shetty expressed that the Union government's push for women's reservation has elicited tremendous joy, asserting that “this day deserves to be memorialized in golden letters.”

She highlighted that women, who make up nearly 50 percent of India's vast population of 140 crore, have long awaited this significant change.

Shetty recalled that women's reservation in local bodies was first established in 1992, while the Women’s Reservation Bill for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies was initially tabled in 1996. The journey to pass this legislation has spanned from then until 2023.

She emphasized that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had made four attempts to introduce this bill, which repeatedly stalled due to insufficient support from opposition parties.

She also mentioned that there were high hopes for the bill’s approval during Sonia Gandhi's leadership as UPA head.

Reflecting on the past struggles, Shetty noted a significant movement advocating for the bill, with over 1,000 participants from Karnataka. Although the UPA government presented the bill in Parliament, it ultimately did not pass.

Shetty credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the bill's eventual approval, calling it a moment of profound happiness and justice after 19 years of anticipation.

She further remarked that under PM Modi’s guidance, women’s empowerment has progressed notably, referencing initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and the Lakhpati schemes, alongside increased opportunities for women in the defence sector.

She also recognized former Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa for introducing 50 percent reservation for women in local bodies, extending her congratulations.

Expressing optimism for future legislative advancements, Shetty stated that women across various political affiliations should take advantage of such opportunities, urging them to put aside political divides.

On Thursday, Parliament commenced a special three-day session where the government introduced amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, aimed at expediting the 33 percent women’s reservation in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

This initiative includes expanding the total number of seats and linking reservations to a new delimitation process. Opposition parties have raised concerns regarding this linkage.