Correspondent
Supreme Court Urges Action: Centre and Nagaland Government Under Fire for Inaction on Women's Reservation.
Of particular concern to the court is the fact that the ruling party in Nagaland is the same as the central government, leading to worries about their approach to this important matter. Currently, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) leads the coalition government in Nagaland, with the BJP as its partner.
Justice Kaul emphasized that reservation is a crucial form of affirmative action, ensuring that women have a minimum level of representation in local bodies. The court stressed the significance of such measures in bringing about social changes, noting that laws often play a vital role in shaping societal attitudes and practices.
The court drew attention to historical reforms, highlighting how laws in India have previously driven social change. For example, legal provisions have contributed to Hindu men accepting monogamy and granting equal property rights to daughters.
The issue was brought to the Supreme Court through petitions challenging the Nagaland Assembly's decision in September 2012, which exempted the operation of Part IX-A of the Constitution, mandating 33 percent reservation for women in local bodies. Although the decision was withdrawn in 2016, the reservation has not been effectively implemented yet.
The court's firm stance underscores the importance of gender representation in local governance and urges both the Centre and the Nagaland government to take immediate action in upholding the principles of gender equality and women's empowerment in the state's local body polls. It is a significant step towards ensuring a fair and inclusive democratic process that benefits all members of society.