The representation of women at the panchayat level has crossed over 40 percent in some states and the recent increase in the number of women entering parliament also indicates that women cannot be restrained from joining active politics.'

'We are hopeful that the women's reservation bill will get a passage this time as it is being supported by the president, the speaker and several other leaders,' Vyas, who is also heads the National Commission for Women, said.

Lending his voice of support, Madhu Goud Yakshi, also a Lok Sabha member, said he hopes that the pending bill will see the light of the day soon.

Reiterating that they will not give up until the bill is passed, Yukti Sharma, an activist, said: 'We will continue to raise the issue for equal rights in politics until the bill is passed.'