Women are nation’s ‘Largest Minority’, says supreme court

Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 10: The Supreme Court on Monday described women as the “largest minority” in India and questioned why their representation in Parliament continues to decline despite constitutional provisions supporting equality.

“Why not give women representation even without reservation?” observed Justice B.V. Nagarathna, India’s only woman judge in the Supreme Court, while heading a Bench with Justice R. Mahadevan.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Dr. Jaya Thakur challenging the delayed implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam — the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, which provides 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

Senior advocate Shobha Gupta and advocate Varun Thakur, appearing for the petitione