Sangat (India) boards RESERVATION EXPRESS, a nation-wide campaign for the Women’s Reservation Bill

To garner public support and mobilize political will, as many a 200 civil society and women’s organisations from all over India have joined Reservation Express in support of the Indian Women’s Reservation Bill that is to be passed in its present form in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies

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To garner public support and mobilize political will, as many a 200 civil society and women’s organisations from all over India have joined Reservation Express in support of the Indian Women’s Reservation Bill that is to be passed in its present form in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies 

The campaign was launched on 20 May, 2010 from Jhansi, a city that carries immense historical significance for the women’s struggle. Initiated by ANHAD, the Reservation Express comprises three caravans that will travel the country. These caravans were flagged off from Jhansi on May 20th, 2010 and will culminate in Delhi on 7th June, 2010. These all-women caravans will travel to 56 cities and towns, covering approximately 15,000 kilometers.

Each halt of the caravans features public meetings, press conferences and cultural programmes across India hosted by local organisations. Local activists, women leaders, artists, intellectuals and other civil society members are participating in these meetings. Put together in 25 days (from conception to implementation), this will be the largest campaign ever in support of women’s political participation. The campaign’s timing is especially crucial because it counters the opposition to women’s political participation staged by conservative religious groups.

More than 50 per cent of the Karwan members are Muslim women struggling to get equal citizenship rights and fight against discrimination. Ishrat Jahan’s sister and mother, Sultana from Gujarat are travelling with the caravan. Internally displaced women, Dalit women, ordinary grass root workers to young film makers and senior activists are also part of this, besides women from different states (Himachal Pardesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Delhi, Karnataka, Assam and so on) will talk about their concerns and demand the passage of the bill.

More than one lakh leaflets are being distributed during the campaign. 20,000 especially postcards will be signed and later submitted to the Prime Minister. A website – www.reservationexpress.org – tracks and reports the movement of the carawans every day. 

While it is the largest campaign for demanding the passage of Women’s Reservation Bill, it will also be a celebration of thousands of groups coming together. Local cultural troupes will perform in many towns.

Young filmmakers are documenting the entire campaign.

 

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