Long before the Women's Reservation Bill was first introduced in 1996 in Parliament, the idea of legislation for reserving seats for women in parliament and state assemblies came up during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure as Prime Minister. Soon, the Panchayati Raj Act, 1992 granted 33 percent reservation to women in local bodies. Following is a chronology of events that led to this week's disruption in Parliament: Sept 12, 1996 – During the Deve Gowda government, then Law Minister Ramakant D Khalap introduces the women's reservation bill (81st Constitutional Amendment Bill) that seeks 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. (On September 13 only 230 Lower House MPs show up, far short of the 273 required to approve a constitutional amendment) The bill is referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee chaired by Geeta Mukherjee, which presented its report to the Lower House on December 9, 1996. June 1997 - Opposing the Bill, Sharad Yadav says: “Do you think these women with short hair can speak for women, for our women...'' 1998 - Atal Bihari Vajpayee's NDA government re-introduces the bill in the 12th Lower House (84th Constitutional Amendment Bill) July 13 - When Law minister Mr. M. Thambidurai rises to introduce the bill, RJD MP Surendra Prasad Yadav goes to the well of the House, snatches it from Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi and tears it to bits. 1999 - The NDA government re-introduces the bill in the 13th Lower House. 2002 - The bill is introduced in parliament. Left parties and the Congress give assurances to support the bill if it is taken up. 2003 - Bill introduced twice in parliament. March - After an all-party meeting, BJP spokesperson Vijay Malhotra says: “We want the bill passed in this session itself, with or without consensus”. May - At an all-party meeting, Speaker Manohar Joshi announces deferring of the Bill. Protesting MPs rush to the well of the House during Question Hour, saying they would never allow the bill to be passed in the present form. 2004 - The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government includes it in the Common Minimum Program, which says: “The UPA government will take the lead to introduce legislation for one-third reservations for women in Legislative Assembly and in the Lower House.” March - Vajpayee blames Congress for stalling the Bill. Says BJP and its allies would pass the legislation after getting a decisive mandate in 2004 elections. 2005 - BJP announces complete support for the bill. Subsequently, BJP yields to the objections of Uma Bharati and several others within the party, who stress on quota within quota for women on caste basis. 2008 - The government tables the bill in the Upper House so that the legislation does not lapse. (Then SP leader) Amar Singh reportedly says all Yadavs—Lalu Yadav of the UPA, Mulayam Singh Yadav (then in the UNPA) and Sharad Yadav of the NDA - are of the same view in regard to the women's bill. (Against the Bill) Dec 2009 - The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice, and Personnel recommends passage of the Bill. Feb 25, 2010 - The Union Cabinet clears the Bill. March 8, 2010 - RJD, SP MPs disrupt tabling the Bill in the Upper House. __
