Pune: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday stressedon change in mindset of a section of people in politics to wholeheartedly welcome the proposed 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and assemblies from 2029.A special session of Parliament would be convened next week to table the bill for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and assemblies in 2029. Referring to it, Fadnavis in his speech on the occasionof the bicentenary birth anniversary of social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered tribute to Phule in a real sense by bringing the bill of providing 33% reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and assemblies. The move is being welcomed by some but not all. While men in other sectors are welcoming gender equality, some people in politics need to change their mindset to accept it.”He said the teaching of Phule would help in bringing the change in mindset of such men.The chief minister visited Phule’s ancestral village Khanwadi in Purandar tehsil of Pune district on Saturday on the occasionof the social reformer’s birth anniversary. He inaugurated the first CBSE-pattern Zilla Parishad school to be run by Pune Zilla Parishad. “Opening a school at Phule’s ancestral villageis the perfect tribute to the social reformer, who devoted his life in spreading the importance of education and equality,” Fadnavis said.Amid the demand of honouring Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule with the highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, Fadnavis said the state govt had sent a proposal to the central govt regarding the same. “We have strongly recommended Bharat Ratna for these social reformists, but some personalities’ contribution to the nation is bigger than any award. Mahatma and Savitribai Phule are among those personalities,” Fadnavis said.Deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar and cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal also paid tributes to Mahatma Phule at the event on Saturday.
