Chandigarh, August 8
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today demanded the immediate implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the country besides supporting the union government’s proposal to increase parliamentary seats by fifty per cent in all States.
These decisions were taken at a meeting of senior leaders of the SAD after holding detailed deliberations on key issues before parliament. The meeting was presided over by its president – S Sukhbir Singh Badal. The party made it clear that it stood for the immediate passage of the women reservation bill as well as delimitation.
Asserting that the SAD supported the proposal put up in the Lok Sabha by the union government to increase the share of all States in parliamentary seats by fifty per cent, Badal said the SAD stood for a fair and equitable delimitation exercise which ensured equal increase in representation to all States. “This will ensure justice is done to all States”, he added.
Speaking on the issue of the Women’s Reservation Bill, Badal said the SAD drew its inspiration from the teachings of the Sikh Gurus who had always championed the dignity of women as well as ensuring equality and equal rights to them. He said the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had also set an example by providing for women’s reservation in its House.