The Rajya Sabha passed two important bills related to Jammu and Kashmir in less than ten minutes, avoiding the chaos caused by the joint opposition’s protests over the Parliament security breach. Nityanand Rai, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, introduced for consideration and passage the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023, as well as the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Faced with a non-participatory opposition engaged in sloganeering and demanding a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on the December 13 security breach in the Lok Sabha, the Upper House passed the bills by voice vote without engaging in any substantive debate.
The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023, builds upon the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, with a focus on enhancing gender representation. The bill reserves approximately one-third of all elected seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly for women. This reservation extends to seats designated for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, with the provision effective for 15 years.
Simultaneously, the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2023, aims to secure 33% of seats in the Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry Assemblies for women. The bill, having received prior approval from the Lok Sabha, mandates one-third of all elected seats in the Puducherry Legislative Assembly for women. Like its Jammu and Kashmir counterpart, this reservation is set to be effective for 15 years.
The bills underscore the government’s commitment to promoting gender equality and enhancing women’s representation in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry. The opposition’s absence from the discussion and their disruption of House proceedings prompted the use of a voice vote to expedite the legislative process.
These developments mark a critical juncture in the ongoing parliamentary sessions and highlight the government’s resolve to address constitutional and administrative matters, particularly concerning territories with special status.