Examine the actions done by the state legislatures and the Indian Parliament to improve the representation of underrepresented groups, including women, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes. Examine how well nomination processes, reservation regulations, and other programs support inclusive governance. Compare it to the strategies used by several other democracies.
Jai AgarwalLearner
Measures for Inclusive Governance in India
The Indian government has implemented several measures to promote representation of marginalized groups in Parliament and state legislatures:
1. Reservations:
Parliament: Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) based on their population proportion.
State Legislatures: Similar reservations exist in state legislatures, with some states extending them to Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
2. Nomination:
Rajya Sabha (Upper House): The President can nominate 12 members with expertise in literature, science, arts, and social service. This provides opportunities for women and other under-represented groups.
3. Other Initiatives:
Women’s Reservation Bill: Proposes 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures, but hasn’t been passed yet.
Party Quotas: Some political parties implement internal quotas for women and minority candidates.
Effectiveness:
Reservations: Increased representation of SCs and STs, but benefits limited to certain groups.
Nomination: Provides space for expertise, but effectiveness in promoting marginalized groups varies.
Other Initiatives: Limited impact due to low quotas and uneven implementation.
Limitations:
Reservations: Can be seen as tokenism if not accompanied by measures to empower these groups.
Nomination: Limited number of seats doesn’t address systemic issues.
Party Quotas: Often not stringently enforced.
Comparison with Other Democracies:
Quotas: Several countries like Nepal, Rwanda, and Uganda have quotas for women in legislatures.
Proportional Representation: Systems like those in Germany and Israel encourage broader representation based on votes received.
Affirmative Action: Policies in the US focus on increasing opportunities for under-represented groups in education and employment.
Observations:
India’s approach has yielded some success, but more needs to be done for broader inclusivity.
Reservation policies alone may not be enough. Additional measures like capacity building and addressing social barriers are crucial.
Possible Reforms:
Passage of Women’s Reservation Bill.
Reviewing Reservation System: Assess its effectiveness and consider extending benefits to other marginalized groups.
Strengthening Party Quotas: Implement stricter enforcement mechanisms.
Exploring Proportional Representation: Encourage greater diversity in legislatures.
Investing in Education and Skill Development: Empower marginalized groups to compete effectively.
A multi-pronged approach, combining reservations, affirmative action programs, and social reforms, is likely to be more effective in achieving inclusive governance in India. By learning from other democracies and adapting their policies to the Indian context, the country can truly create a Parliament that reflects the rich tapestry of its society.