Will bill benefit women of lower strata?

To advertise the "glorious" status of women in Indian society, the "nationalists" zealously cry themselves hoarse by dropping the names of Pratibha Patil, Meira Kumar, Sonia Gandhi and Sushma Swaraj. As if mere occupancy of esteemed Chairs of President, Speaker, Chairperson of the Union Government and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha by the fairer sex is proof enough of India's liberal attitude towards womenfolk! But the fact remains that despite presence of few women in highly prominent positions; female foeticide as well as infanticide, molestation, rape, "honour" killings, murder for dowry and witch-hunting continue to plague the female population of this society. And also there exist many silent killers in the form of wife-beating, marital rape, deprivation of proper nutrition and education and imposition of number of restrictions within the family in the name of "tradition" and "religion". Barring few enlightened and educated individuals, innumerable women are in no position to protest or retaliate. Many assume it is their "birth right" to remain subjugated under the menfolk.
Only if the Women's Reservation Bill helps to provide relief to the hapless women and leads them to live a dignified life with utmost protection and honour, can it will be a matter to rejoice about. Else, the Bill will merely serve as an avenue for the women of the upper strata of the society to further their own selfish interests.
Kajal Chatterjee, Kolkata