Goa, April 19 -- The defeat of the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha has triggered a fierce debate in Goa, with local leaders and civil society members sharply divided over the legislative setback. From the boardrooms of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) to grassroots self-help groups, the failure of the bill has ignited a wave of resentment, with many questioning the political sincerity behind a reform that has remained in limbo for decades.

Former Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress president Beena S Naik said, "Why BJP women and men are tom-tomming and shedding crocodile tears when they themselves could not provide security to women in India. The Women's Reservation Bill of 33 per cent reservation was already p...