After a long journey of 14 years, the Women's Reservation Bill was tabled in Rajya Sabha under UPA led government and passed with the support of BJP, Left and others, while Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Shiv Sena, Trinamul congress party and others opposed it. At the same time, seven members of Rajya Sabha belonging to SP, RJD, LJP and an unattached MP were suspended on Tuesday for their unruly behaviour in the house on Monday over the women's Reservation Bill.

Under this bill, thirty three percent seats will be reserved for the women in parliament, as well as state assemblies, after it becomes a law. Reserved seats will be determined by a separate law like the delimitation act. Still UPA has to walk a tough path to pass this bill in the Lok Sabha (Lower house of parliament).

Mulayam Singh and Lalu Prasad Yadav are opposing this bill because the current bill does not have provisions of sub-quota for Dalits, OBCs, Muslims etc. These people fear that representation of upper caste will increase and the voice of the marginalized will be suppressed. At the same time their seats may also be in danger.

At first glance their argument sounds good but on the other side it creates suspicion on their spirit of giving reservation to women in parliament and state legislative assembly. Their caste politics is not working in their states.

People want development in both fronts, social as well as economic. Representation of women in decision making is the best parameter of social development.

I must thank the UPA government, who at least tried to bring this bill in upper house of parliament and in doing so has addressed the demand of the hour.