New Delhi/Chandigarh, April 17: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP from Sri Anandpur Sahib, Malvinder Singh Kang, utilized his time in Parliament to articulate the party’s stance on significant legislative reforms. During his intervention, he focused on the urgency of the Women’s Reservation Bill and addressed the evolving concerns regarding the delimitation process.
Kang stated that the Aam Aadmi Party, including the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, advocates for the immediate implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill. He maintained that since the legislation was passed in 2023, the government should proceed with the rollout without further delay.
Drawing upon historical context regarding gender equality, Kang noted that the teachings of the Sikh Gurus have long informed this perspective. He asserted that during a period when the practice of Sati was prevalent across the country, Guru Ramdas Ji and Guru Arjan Dev Ji spoke out against it. Furthermore, he affirmed that long before women in many developed nations secured the franchise, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) granted voting rights to women in 1920.
Transitioning to the topic of delimitation, Kang expressed his concerns regarding the potential shift in political representation for smaller states. He declared that while the national legislative agenda is vital, it is important to consider the historical sacrifices and the unique position of states like Punjab. He noted that Punjab has consistently served the nation, yet faces challenges when representation is adjusted solely on population figures, particularly given that the state had previously adhered to national population control guidelines.
He maintained that the federal structure of India relies on the cooperative relationship between the center and the states. Kang concluded his remarks by urging the government to balance the implementation of the reservation law with a respectful approach toward the rights and representation of states, ensuring that the federal character of the nation remains intact.
