PM Must Explain Why 2023 Women’s Quota Act Isn’t Implemented: Raut

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should answer why the women's reservation act passed by Parliament in 2023 has not been implemented yet.

Reacting to the prime minister's Independence Day speech, Raut also said that those who are above 75 should hand over power to the youth.

Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Modi called for setting aside political wrangling to ensure implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. He also sought to reach out to the youth.

Raut said the country had always moved ahead through "Yuva Shakti" (youth power).

"Those who have crossed 75 years of age must hand over power to 'Yuva Shakti'. This will be a true tribute to the country," he said.

"Women's reservation has been passed in 2023. I urge the PM to implement it, and also answer why he did not implement it (so far)," Raut said.

The Women's Reservation Bill was passed by Parliament in September 2023. But the subsequent 131st Constitution Amendment Bill, which proposed to increase the Lok Sabha seats to 816 to "operationalise" the women's reservation law before the 2029 polls following a delimitation exercise, was defeated in the Lok Sabha.

Meanwhile, Raut praised the 'School Thik Karo' campaign launched by Cockroach Janta Party leader Abhijeet Dipke, saying that it was a very good initiative.

The children of those who control the education system study abroad, the Sena (UBT) MP said.

On Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's statement that voters gave a clear verdict over the splits in the Shiv Sena and NCP in the 2024 assembly polls, and the Supreme Court is expected to deliver its judgement on the issue on similar lines, Raut said this "threat" will be put on record during the ongoing hearing before the apex court.