The proposed Women’s Reservation Act, which was approved by the government today, has triggered a huge war of words between Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Speaking in the new Parliament, Kharge claimed that only parties are manipulating reservation to elect uneducated voiceless women who are not up to the task. Ms. Sitharaman, one of the BJP’s most vocal MPs, objected vehemently. He said Mr Kharge was making “broad statements”.
“Scheduled Caste women have lower literacy levels and that is why political parties choose weak women. They never choose those who are educated and can fight,” said Mr. Kharge, who is also the leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha.
When the finance ministry benches started protesting, Mr. Kharge shouted, “What half ticket? We are talking about third ticket… Sit down and shut up… I have an idea how backward, Scheduled Caste people choose parties”. “We respect the leader of the opposition, but the sweeping statement that all political parties elect women who are not effective is completely unacceptable. Our party, our prime minister, has given us strength. President Droupadi Murmu is an empowered woman. Everyone. Our the party’s MP is an empowered woman,” said Nirmala Sitharaman.
