India’s Women’s Reservation Bill clears first hurdle

The bill had been stalled for over 13 years by political opponents demanding separate quotas for women from lower castes and the minority Muslim community. Opponents from regional socialist parties also disrupted proceedings in the upper house on Monday and again on Tuesday.

However, the bill that aims to increase the participation of women in politics by reserving 33 percent of seats in parliament and state assemblies, was approved by all the members of the ruling Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, four leftist parties and several regional parties.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is a member of the upper house, thanked the parties that had supported the bill and expressed his regret about "the abnormal events" that had taken place in the house.

Before passing into law, the bill has to be approved by the lower house of parliament and India's state assemblies, where women’s quotas will also be introduced.

tb/AFP/dpa

Editor: Anne Thomas