The controversy surrounding the Women's Reservation Bill, also known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Bill, appears to be diminishing, as Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui has claimed that because of women's reservation, Parliament would be filled with individuals promoting cosmetics and beauty products.
In the Muzaffarpur district of Bihar, an event was organized by the Extremely Backward Classes to support the bill. During this event, Siddiqui, who is the National General Secretary of RJD, said that with the implementation of the Bill, only women having bob-cut hair and the ones donning lipstick will come to the Parliament.
Notably, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the women's reservation bill which seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
'Fix quota for extremely backward classes'
Siddiqui, who came to participate in the Extremely Backward Social Awareness Conference organized by the RJD Extremely Backward Cell at a private auditorium in Bibiganj, Muzaffarpur, said the current bill wouldn't guarantee representation for all segments of women in society and argued that it would primarily favor privileged women who wear makeup and lipstick.
“Women will come wearing lipstick and bob cut hair in the name of reservation." He said that if reservation has to be given, then give reservation to women belonging to backward and extremely backward classes. "Fix quota for extremely backward classes too, then it is fine, otherwise people with a bob cut and lipstick will reach the Parliament in the name of women's reservation."
'If you are a socialist then take a pledge...'
While addressing the audience, the RJD leader also advised staying away from television and social media. He recommended keeping a distance from TV and social media until at least the Lok Sabha elections. He emphasized that those who are the masters of such mediums often act on the signals of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He urged all socialists to take a pledge to boycott TV at least until the Lok Sabha elections. This, he said, wouldn't affect your meals. He encouraged the audience to make this commitment, reminding them to remember the dishonor their ancestors faced. He emphasised the need to follow the path set by Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and understand the dual character of Karpoori Thakur, who faced humiliation.
Meanwhile, giving clarification on his statement, the RJD leader said that he just used that language to explain to the rural woman in their language. "In that rally, hundreds of rural women were there... I used that language to explain to the rural woman in their language. My intention was not to hurt anyone. If someone is hurt, I express regret. It was a gathering of extremely backward classes and I was teaching them... RJD had been in support of Women's Reservation since the beginning," he said.
(Report: Sanjeev Kumar)
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