AIPWA ORGANIZED A MARCH FOR IMPLEMENTATION NOF THE WOMEN’ RESERVATION ACT

AIPWA ORGANIZED A MARCH FOR IMPLEMENTATION NOF THE WOMEN’ RESERVATION ACT

22-JULY-ENG 6

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------The All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA) organized a march starting from the CPI(ML) district office at Shritola, Ara, and culminating in a public meeting at the bus stand. The march demanded the removal of census and delimitation conditions from the Women's Reservation Act, its immediate unconditional implementation based on current parliamentary strength, and adequate representation—specifically reservation within reservation—for women from Backward Classes, EBCs, SC/ST communities, and other marginalized groups. Addressing the gathering at the bus stand, AIPWA National Council member and District Secretary Indu Singh stated that the BJP government at the Centre is using the Women's Reservation issue as a pretext to advance its own political agenda—namely, delimitation and increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats.

Addressing the meeting, AIPWA National Council member and City Secretary Sangeeta Singh remarked that the government is failing to delink women's reservation from the politically contentious issue of delimitation and is merely paying lip service to 'Nari Shakti' (women's power). Such hypocrisy and the prolonged delay in implementation expose a deeply entrenched patriarchal reality that systematically obstructs women's political empowerment. Women are taking to the streets against this, and a nationwide campaign led by AIPWA is underway.

Addressing the gathering, AIPWA National Council member and City President Shobha Mandal expressed solidarity with the ongoing movement of students and youth at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. She alleged that the Modi government at the Centre is ruining the future of students. She further pointed out that amidst claims of women's empowerment, 'Jivika Didis' (community resource persons under the livelihood mission) are being threatened with job termination. AIPWA pledged to fight for the cause of the Jivika Didis and hold the government accountable. Many women participated in the program, including Sangeeta Singh, Indu Singh, Sandhya Pal, Shobha Mandal, Kalavati Devi, Aarti Kumari, and Gyanti Devi.