PAR-2NDLD WOMEN 3 LAST

The Indian Prime Minister described the bill as a "giant
step" towards the empowerment of women and rejected the
allegations that the measure was anti-minority or
anti-Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe.

Singh appreciated Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley and
leaders of all other parties which supported the bill and said
the "near unanimity" between the government and the opposition
reached on the bill was a "living proof that the heart of the
Indian democracy is sound and in right place."
Referring to the concerns of members about minorities and
Other Backward Castes (OBCs), he said while minorities in
general have not got an adequate share of the fruits of
development, his government is committed to work sincerely for
their uplift through several other measures.
BJP and Left parties unequivocally supported the bill
describing it as "the most progressive" but slammed the
government for mishandling the process of "historic"
amendment to the Constitution.
"We are all discharging a historic responsibility in
becoming instruments of enacting one of the most progressive
legislations in recent Indian history. We are rewriting gender
history," Jaitley said.
However, perturbed by unsavoury incidents in the House
where seven RJD, SP and an unattached member were suspended
and marshalled out, he said, "We also hang our head in shame
on some of the most shameful incidents."
Extending "unstinting and "unambiguous" support to the
bill, Brinda Karat (CPI-Marxist) rejected some of the
objections raised by parties like RJD and SP. She said the
measure would help empower women at all levels. PTI NAM
RDM


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