So the much-touted Women’s Reservation Bill failed to clear the parliamentary hurdle yet again. It truly became the story of Bikram and Betal in contemporary Indian politics. The Bill (Betal) goes back to hang upside down. It will be fetched before it suits the rulers (Bikram) the most. That may happen a year or so before the 2029 general elections.

That the Bill would fail to get the nod of two-thirds of lawmakers was written large even before the special session of Parliament was summoned. At the end of it, both sides were happy. It was a win-win situation for all. The Opposition was pleased that it had managed to defeat the government. The treasury benches were happy since they managed to score some brownie points and got a stick to beat the Opposition in public.

For the Modi government, it was like Heads I Win, Tails You Lose kind of a situation. It was all about getting the bragging rights. The attempt to get it passed lacked the necessary intent required. That the government lacked the required numbers to get it passed was no secret. There was also no unanimity over the nitty-gritty associated with giving women one-third reservation in Parliament and state assemblies. While the Bill was envisaged long, long ago, the roadmap to implement it was........

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