Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Cutting across the political lines, Jammu and Kashmir’s prominent leaders from different parties hailed the country’s advancing feminine development in electoral landscape about the presenting of Women Reservation Bill by the Narender Modi-led government last year.
Stree Shakti organized a first-of-its-kind conclave at Jammu’s Hari Niwas Palace which saw the presence of stalwart leaders including Dr. Farooq Abdullah, President National Conference and Parliament member, Safina Baig, Senior People’s Democratic Leader and DDC Chairman, Kavinder Gupta, Senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party and former Deputy Chief Minister.
Joining them were eminent personalities like Dr. Kunawarani Ritu Singh, an esteemed educationist and Chairman of the Maharaja Hari Singh Foundation, Rekha Mody, Founder of Stree Shakti (organizer), and Farzana Mumtaz, Editor in Chief of News Kashmir and a prominent media figure.
The speakers on the occasion applauded the move of Stree Shakti aimed at championing the cause of women’s empowerment and fostering an environment where women play a pivotal role in the governance and progress of the country.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah remarked, “As a soul who has witnessed the ebb and flow of Kashmir’s history, I stand before you today with a heart brimming with hope. This Stree Shakti Conclave is not just a gathering, it is a turning point. For the first time, the ramparts of Hari Niwas echo with the united voices of women leaders, their resolve as unwavering as the Himalayas themselves. This is a day we will etch in gold, a day that marks the dawn of a new era for Jammu and Kashmir, for India.”
Safina Baig poured her heart out as, “Today, we celebrate a hard-won victory – the passage of the women’s bill. We extend our gratitude to the Modi government for shepherding this bill through, but acknowledge that this is merely the first step on a long road to gender justice.”
Rekha Mody, Founder of Stree Shakti – the Parallel Force and architect of this monumental gathering, emphasized the significance of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, underscoring that the epoch-making Women’s Reservation Bill in Indian politics serves as a resolute countermeasure against divisive forces rooted in religion and caste.
Ms. Mody expressed her conviction, stating, “Women are ready to embrace reservation and it is political parties who need to walk the talk. At the historic Hari Niwas Palace, Jammu, we celebrated the Women Reservation Bill and expressed gratitude that Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry are the first regions of the country that will witness implementation of women reservation in electoral polity. We are stressing on women of Jammu and Kashmir to be ready to be part of history and all the political parties to not just wait for reservation, but be women centric in approach, actively shaping the new political landscape.”
Dr. Kunawarani Ritu Singh, an eminent educationist and Chairperson of the Maharaja Hari Singh Foundation, lauded the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in steering the women of Jammu and Kashmir towards a brighter present and future for the country. Dr. Singh highlighted the transformative impact of women’s Reservation, foreseeing a significant elevation in the socio-political status of Indian women and a catalytic boost in entrepreneurial development across all spheres. Furthermore, Dr. Singh stressed that active participation of women in governance and policy-making would foster equality and efficiency, aligning with the foundational principles of Indian democracy.
She shared her views as, “Women of J&K, rise with Modi’s vision! Reservation is our weapon, entrepreneurship our battlefield, and equality our ultimate victory.”
Farzana Mumtaz, Editor-in-Chief of News Kashmir weekly and a prominent women’s advocate in Jammu and Kashmir, lauded the implementation of reservations for women, terming it a significant omen for gender equality. She asserted that with the incorporation of necessary provisions, women will now have representation in all crucial tiers of governance, paving the way for their active involvement in steering the nation towards an era of progress.
Pertinently, on 21 September 2023, Indian legislators passed the first legislation considered in the country’s new Parliament building: the Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023. The bill, which passed both houses of Parliament almost unanimously—with just two votes against—will ensure that women occupy at least 33 per cent of the seats in state legislative assemblies and the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament.
