Jammu, Dec 19: Successive regimes headed by National Conference, Congress and PDP have systematically denied authentic representation to women of Jammu and Kashmir across various domains, particularly in politics. This long-standing disparity has been addressed with the Lok Sabha’s endorsement of a Bill mandating a 33% reservation for women in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
This was stated by Priya Sethi, National Executive Member of Bharatiya Janata Party and former Minister in a statement issued here on Tuesday.
The senior BJP leader said that the previous governments led by NC , Congress, and PDP in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir have long neglected the genuine representation of women in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in politics. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Bill and the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill has ensured a minimum of 29 to 30 seats for women in the 90-member House and it was a significant move towards correcting this historical injustice and fostering gender inclusivity, she said.
The former minister asserted that since the abrogation of Article 370, the Modi government has been committed to transformative reforms in Jammu and Kashmir. “This bill addresses the long-standing issue of underrepresentation of various marginalized sections, including women, Kashmiri Pandits, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, and Other Backward Classes. The enactment of this legislation marks a departure from the past policies and practices that had led to disparities and underrepresentation in the region,” she added.
Priya said the BJP government at the Centre has been instrumental in bringing about transformative changes in the Union Territory, including issuing domicile certificates uniformly, providing financial assistance to refugees, and ensuring reservations for historically neglected communities. This has led to the upliftment and equal treatment of marginalized segments of society, she said.
“In addition to the legislative reservation, the BJP government’s focus on women’s welfare is evident in initiatives like the 100 per cent saturation of the widow pension program, establishment of one-stop centers for women’s welfare in every district, and the creation of women-centric markets, or Ladies Haat, in Jammu and Srinagar. Furthermore, the success of women’s self-help groups, supported financially and technically, underscores the socio-economic empowerment of women in the region,” Sethi added.
The senior BJP leader asserted that the Women Reservation Bill paves the way for increased women’s representation in political elections, reflecting the government’s commitment to reshaping the future of Jammu and Kashmir with a focus on inclusivity and progress. “It is the time to celebrate such historic reforms and the significant advancements they represent for the women of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
