Gender discrimination in elected bodies!

They might have come on a reserved quota -- for every three wards there is a seat for women -- but the fact is they are no co-optees; they are representatives elected from amongst the women candidates. How can they be divested of the powers and functions due to the general seat winners viz. their male counterparts as though it's another male domain. The overriding fact is that the city corporations are elected entities where gender inequality must be totally repugnant to the very character of representative public bodies.

Three articles of the Constitution, such as 28 (4), 28 (1) and 28 (2) will have been impinged upon if the circular were allowed to rule the roost. The first article provides for a special space to women; the second forbids male-female discrimination; and the third one upholds complete equality between man and woman.

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That which was designed to empower women should not be allowed to disempower them through circulars and edicts in dissonance with the Constitution. The HC verdict should help the cause of gender equality in other areas of concern for women. It has done a world of good to the cause of women's empowerment.