By TCN Special Correspondent,
New Delhi: Women and Muslims are the most underrepresented communities in parliament and assemblies, said leading psephologist Dr. Yogendra Yadav on Wednesday afternoon.He was participating in a debate on People’s Politics and Electoral Reforms at ongoing People’s Parliament (Jan Sansad) organized here by Medha Patekar-led National Alliance of People’s Movement (NAPM).
Clarifying his point, he further said, “I will not say, Women and Minorities because other sections of Minorities are represented in legislature in a way or other while Muslims are not”. He stressed on the need of ensuring the representation of these communities in legislature in their proportion. However, he made no clear proposalon ways and means of ensuring the representation.
2nd day of Jan Sansad being held in New Delhi (20-22 March 2012)
He also emphasised on the need of social profiling of media, saying Dalit, Aadiwasi and Minorities have very low representation in Media organizations. “The low or negligible participation of marginalized communities in Media is also a point to worry and there is a needthat these groups are represented”, said Dr. Yadav.
Yadav stressed on sufficient debate in the Parliament and outside before any bill is passed. He also said that Acts such as the AFSPA and UAPA have no room in a democracy.
Earlier, representing the Campaign for Electoral Reforms in India (CERI), MC Raj pointed out the flaws in the electoral democratic process in India and asked for comprehensive reforms – and not just temporary improvements by the Election Commission. “The political representation process has gotten so weak that only the rich and elite could even contest elections to the parliament and assemblies”, argued Mr. Raj. He proposed proportionate electoral system as the way out.
Yesterday was the second day of the three-day National People’s Parliament being held at Rajendra Bhawan in New Delhi. The Jan Sansad debated two key issues during the day: 1) Agrarian Crisis & Food Security, 2) Assertion of People’s Politics, Democratic Governance and Electoral reforms.
(Photo courtesy: NAPM website)