The Beginning or the End?

At a time when we should be concerned with hike in fuel prices or rather the sugar saga that has kept us worried for some weeks now, what we hear is the humming of tunes of a popular song titled the ‘women’s reservation’. As if the reservations for the so-called ‘backward’ classes and minorities were not enough, now the politicians have found a solid base to build upon their vote bank. 33% as a gift to women, and they call it women empowerment.
If the highly able ruling party and ‘Constructive’ Opposition are so worried about the social status of the ‘Bhartiya Nari’, then perhaps it’s high time they pay a visit to the largely predominant rural areas of this nation that still live in the 15th century. It is a shame for this country that boasts of the largest democratic base and being called the ‘new kid on the block’ to still be witnessing the age-old orthodox mentality and practices that make us bow down in disgrace.
First of all, what is the guarantee that the reservation provided for women goes to the right woman? And if she is able enough she will not require this facility. The obvious instances would be Sheila Dixit, Vasundhra Raje, Jayalalitha and Mayawati. Are these female leaders, who are viewed as the role-model in their states, products of this 33% balderdash? Has there been any product so far of reservations in the first place?
Yet again, what are our glorious leaders trying to prove? Women’s empowerment? How? Just by keeping ‘Hands-Off’ for the 33%? Is merit even being talked about, let alone being considered? And lastly, whom will the reservation benefit? The common woman, or daughters and relatives of the above mentioned personalities? In this democracy the last thing we would want is the faith in the system disappearing. And now that we have this provision in place masses will be forced to vote for a female candidate even if a male candidate may be more deserving.
So many women empowerment schemes have been being started. But have they managed to achieve the target? Shouldn’t the repair work be started there instead of such a high-level amendment? Amending the Constitutions every now and then and thinking the job is done is not enough. If this is what our elected leaders do then why are we compelled to cast our ‘valuable’ vote in every election? Reservation, of any kind just destroys our equality. For heaven’s sake, let’s not fall prey to vote bank politics!