By Mahtab Alam, TwoCircles.net,
After 14 years, the Women Reservation Bill has been voted with difference of 186 and 1 in Rajya Sabha of Indian Parliament on 9th February. But many believe, passage the bill of is a historical blunder in its present form. All India Milli Council along with other Muslim, Minority and Dalit groups has been campaigning for quota within quota in Women reservation Bill, the day it has been put for public debate. The Council will continue its campaign for demanding quota within quota for the women belonging to marginalized groups especially Muslims and Dalits.
Dr. MANZOOR ALAM, General Secretay of All India Milli Council tells Mahtab Alam of TwoCircles.net, why they are opposing the bill in its present form, about their plan of action to stop the bill in Lok Sabha and how they are going to develop leadership among Muslim women if quota within quota is provided for Muslim women.
Why are you opposing the Bill?
We oppose the bill because the present form it makes the weak weaker and the disempowered more disempowered while empowering further the already empowered high caste and elite class women. Those getting empowered by this Bill are only 25 per cent and they are already empowered. Passage of the bill in its present form is historical blunder.
The bill has been already passed in Rajya Sabha, so what next on your part?
See, the bill is yet to be passed by Lok Sabha and we hope the govt. will consider our demand- quota within quota for the women belonging to marginalized communities especially Muslims and Dalit. The majority of people, particularly the Muslim community, are in dismay and resentment. It is now for the government and different political parties to see how this dismay and resentment is tackled. The ball is in their court. Meanwhile, we are also seeking legal opinion to move the Supreme Court.
Do you think, there are Muslim women who can participate in electoral politics or will it be only empowering the empowered women amongst Muslim Community?
Yes, there are potentials in community who can participate in the electoral politics at various levels. As far as benefiting of ‘elite’ amongst the Muslims are concerned, this would be pre-mature comment.
But we don’t see any substantial representation of Muslim Women in different Muslim Organisations be it Milli Council, Mushawarat, Jamiat ul Ulema or Jamaat-e-Islami?
See, these organization are not political organization but of social and reformist in its nature. However, we do think there is need to politically sensetise the Muslim masses especially women. And we are doing it at various levels. Gone are the days, when Ulema used to criticize the political participation and empowerment of Muslim women.
Could you name a few apart from Muslim faces of mainstream political parties, who can be contestant?
We don’t have any list as such but there are activist who can do the same at part. Moreover, let’s give a chance at least then make judgments.