Kushtagi
Leaders of the Mahila Congress staged a protest rally in Kushtagi demanding immediate implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill, accusing the central government of delaying it for political reasons. District Mahila Congress President Jyoti M. Gondabaal led the rally from Renukacharya Mangala Bhavan to Basaveshwara Circle.
Speaking at the protest, she alleged that the government is linking women’s reservation to constituency delimitation only to avoid implementing it. She said the promise of 33 percent reservation remains unfulfilled despite support from several parties. According to her, if the government had genuine intent, it would have already implemented the law without conditions.
She also criticised the proposed delimitation process based on the 2011 census, calling it outdated and unscientific. She demanded that any such exercise should be carried out only after a fresh census. She warned that population-based delimitation could reduce representation for southern states and affect opportunities for women from backward and marginalised communities.
Former Minister and District Congress President Amaregouda Bayyapura also addressed the gathering. He said past reforms had ensured reservation for women in local bodies and accused the present government of not taking similar steps at higher levels. He demanded stronger commitment towards women’s political representation.
Several leaders and members of the Mahila Congress participated in the rally and expressed concern over what they described as delay and lack of clarity on the issue. Protesters urged the government to act quickly and implement the reservation law to ensure equal participation of women in politics.
The rally concluded with a call for continued protests until concrete action is taken by the authorities.