| Section 498A is so frequently abused, it should be made bailable |
| Odeal D’Souza |
| On the occasion of the 100th International Women’s Day on Monday, a group of women refrained from celebrations. What inspired the protest of the All -India Mother-in-Law Protection Forum? Odeal D’Souza spoke with Nena Dhulia, president of the forum, which also opposes the proposal for 33% reservation of seats in Parliament for women.
Why are you opposing women’s reservation bill?
The problem is with the stubborn old alpha male politicians, not with the Constitution. The bill is likely to do no good to women who are powerless; even a reservation such as the one currently being debated will not assure them of political representation. Until there is greater recognition of their rights and better education of women, this kind of law will make no change. The reservation of seats will enable women from more dominant sections of society to enter Parliament, and they are likely to represent their own groups, rather than women in general.
If the bill becomes a law, it will sabotage the political careers of some able men, who are just as capable of representing women as women themselves. Also, the seats that are reserved are likely to change, so continuous political attachment to one constituency will be marred, whether the candidate is male or female.
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Tags: better education, bill becomes a law, indian penal code, legal changes, male politicians, mothers in law, political careers, political representation, representing women, reservation bill
