Telangana Governor bats for 50% women’s reservation in politics, urges women leaders to be brave

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Governor recalls her journey

Soundararajan highlighted the struggles women face in politics and emphasised the need for them to work tirelessly to achieve parity with men. “We should work to get 50 percent reservation,” she declared passionately.

The attendees of the thanksgiving programme at the Raj Bhavan. (Supplied)

“A woman president had to sign the Women’s Reservation Bill. We entered the new Parliament and the first Bill passed was the Women’s Reservation Bill,” she rejoiced.

“Everyone will enter politics with dreams, but women have to work 10 to 20 or even 50 times more than a man just to be considered for the post. It is a fact. I am a politician and I don’t hide it. In Telangana, people remind me that I was a BJP leader, but it is my history. Now, I have transformed into an administration post. I don’t hide it,” she said.

She added, “My appointment was under Rajnath Singh during the time when the party decided to give 33 percent leadership to women. The party motivated women and made us occupy key positions. I was a successful doctor and foetal therapist in Tamil Nadu, but I was passionate about politics. Even now, I will say that politics is for men.”

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Tamilisai bats for 50% reservation

“I am competent, more than a man, and we should work to get 50 percent,” she said and recalled, “When I landed in Telangana as the Governor, the state had no women leaders. I was sworn in as Governor and gave oath to women leaders in the evening.”

She advised women leaders, “My request to women leaders is always be brave, whether respected or not, whether protocol is given or not, you should be brave. When stones are thrown at me, I will build a fort with those stones, and if pins are pricking me, I will soak my pen in that blood and I write my history. Be brave and concerned about the people.”

“Whatever may be the humiliation, I will serve people and society. I don’t want a crown because my head is a crown,” she added.

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Other speakers at the event

Other women present at the event also put out their points at the discussion and urged all women participants to work for 50 percent of women’s reservation in politics.

Balalatha, CSB IAS Academy, said, “Women will lead the country. It is a historic day for the country. For years we have been waiting and wondering if the patriarchal society would ever pass the Women’s Reservation Bill, but women who are leading in various positions have made this a success. In an estimated number of years, women will rule the country.”

Dr Jaheda, a professor, said, “The dream has come true. Let us empower each other because as far as politics, women are in political positions but their husband’s rule is seen. We should motivate women to utilise this freedom.”

Prof Sulochana, Chairperson of Andhra Mahila Sabha, said, “In a few scenarios, women should be told that they can do wonders. We should never be happy with 33 percent but voice out for 50 percent in the Women’s Reservation Bill. Why should we be satisfied with less than a man?”

“In my constituency, the corporator has never played a role in visiting the areas, but her husband does. As a retired dean of the Commerce department at Osmania University, when I had to inspect other institutions headed by women, I was surprised by the success of management. We should celebrate the enforcement of the Bill. There is a rule that in a company, one-third should be women. So are we having this?” she asked.