The agenda in both Houses of Parliament are pretty much the same. Discussion on pending bills and debate on banking fraud. But adhering to the List of Business depends on today's protests.
The AIADMK has been demanding setting up of Cauvery Management Board. The Andhra Pradesh Members are seeking Special Category Status. Two ministers have submitted their resignation already. Shiv Sena members want classical language status accorded to Marathi language. Congress other opposition parties are demanding an answer from government on how Nirav Modi was allowed to leave the country.
AIADMK MPs protesting at the Parliament on Thursday, demanding to constitute Cauvery management board immediately as per the Supreme Court direction. | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena
Here are the live updates
Derek O'Brien says in Trinamool Congress 34% of MPs are women. Other parties can take cue, he says. He also suggests West Bengal's Kanyashree scheme can be expanded to the entire country.
D. Raja
It's turn of men to talk about women now. Ghulam Nabi Azad says it is nice to see the House cutting across party lines join on an issue.
India has the most number of anaemic women, he says and adds this is not just an health issue but is imbibed with societal and economic issues.
We used to get reports on sexual harassment on women. Now, young girls are raped. This is a shame that we couldn't do anything against this, he says.
Anu Aga (Independent) says she doesn't want this tokenism of one day as women's day. I want to ask men to treat us well every day, she says.
Roopa Ganguly highlights how crime against women are at times perpetuated by women.
Kanimozhi (DMK) says men celebrate us as mothers, daughters and wives. It should end. Woman should be celebrated as woman, she says. She highlights how women are leaving workforce after marriage or child birth. Dalits and Adivasi women face humiliation every day. There is female foeticide, malnutrition, dowry death.
On Women's Bill, she recalls how women MPs stood guard when minister was tabling the Bill in Rajya Sabha. Every party is supporting the Bill, it is still not passed.
Thota Sitarama Lakshmi (TDP) speaks in Telugu.
Some members complaint about translation. Mr. Naidu says "I will translate. If you want better English translation Renukaji will do. If you want Oxford English, ask Jairam Ramesh."
Sampatiya Uikey of BJP says women Panchayat leaders are doing excellent work and it was possible due to reservation. This government has a women External Affairs Minister and women Defence Minister, she says.
Chhaya Sharma of Congress says she is coming from a backward district of Chhattisgarh. When a woman was raped in Delhi, Nirbhaya fund was created. But many rural women are facing hardship everyday. The Nirbhaya Fund is under utilised, she says.
Wansuk Shaim of Congress also stresses the need for women's reservation.
Viplove Thakur asks if any panel in Rajya Sabha has women's reservation. Let's begin the change here. Our mindset is backward. Let's bring the change from this House, she says. I will consider your plea, says Mr. Naidu.
Ambika Soni of Congress, a senior woman politician speaks. She says the Women Reservation Bill is still pending. Why don't we at least pass a resolution saying we are with the women, she says.
Renuka Choudhury quotes Gandhiji. She says Mahatma's dream has not achieved been achieved yet. Political will is needed to pass the Women's Bill. India is losing one per cent GDP because women are not included in workforce.
Kumari Selja says government should move an equal opportunity commission.
Rajani Patel reads a poem on Amritha Pritham as says women are doing a great job in Panchayats. It should be extended to Parliament as well.
Lok Sabha is back to business after paying tributes to women. Speaker takes up Question Hour. Sloganeering begins. House adjourned till noon.
On this occasion, Mr. Naidu says, he will allow women MPs to make their points today. He requests members to cooperate.
Now papers are being laid on the Table.
Lok Sabha proceedings begin. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan makes a statement on International Women's Day and the necessity to empower women in both rural and urban space.
In Rajya Sabha too, Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu pays glorious tributes to women.