Women’s Reservation – Rijiju Challenges Congress to Back Bill Unconditionally
Women’s Reservation –Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has urged the Congress to support the legislation without conditions after Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi spoke about the need for women to have greater freedom to express themselves.
Rijiju responded to a recent video shared by Rahul Gandhi in which the Congress leader spoke about the role of women in India’s social and political progress. Gandhi said the country could not achieve its full potential unless women were able to express their views freely and participate equally in different areas of life.
Rijiju Sees Change in Congress Position
Reacting to Gandhi’s remarks, Rijiju described the message as positive and suggested that it reflected a change in the Congress leader’s approach towards issues concerning women.
In a post on X, the Union minister said he hoped the Congress would now extend unconditional support to the Women’s Reservation Bill. His remarks come amid a continuing political disagreement over the conditions attached to implementing the legislation.
The Congress and other opposition parties have publicly supported greater representation for women in legislatures. However, they have raised objections to linking the reservation provision with the delimitation exercise.
Opposition Seeks Separate Path for Reservation
The opposition has argued that women’s reservation should not have to wait for the completion of delimitation. Parties opposing the government’s approach have also sought an increase in the number of Lok Sabha constituencies, saying the existing seat structure should be addressed separately.
The issue has therefore remained connected to two major constitutional and political questions: the allocation of seats through delimitation and the implementation of a 33 per cent quota for women in legislatures.
What the Women’s Reservation Law Provides
The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, passed by both Houses of Parliament in 2023, provides for reserving one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies and the Delhi Assembly.
However, the constitutional changes required for implementing the reservation have not moved forward as originally planned. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failed to secure the constitutionally required two-thirds majority of members present and voting in the Lok Sabha on April 17.
The implementation framework has also been tied to the completion of delimitation, making the timing of the reservation a significant point of disagreement between the government and opposition parties.
Rahul Gandhi Focuses on Women’s Freedom
In his social media video, Rahul Gandhi said the potential and energy of Indian women remain restricted when they are unable to express themselves freely. He argued that women should have the confidence and opportunity to participate in conversations and decision-making across society.
Gandhi also said women’s empowerment should extend beyond achievements in business and politics. In his view, women should be able to express opinions within their families, move freely in public spaces and question established views without facing rigid restrictions.
He further linked women’s freedom with India’s broader development, arguing that reducing patriarchal controls and creating space for women’s voices would be important for the country’s progress.
Political Debate Likely to Continue
Rijiju’s response has brought the Women’s Reservation Bill back into the political spotlight, particularly the question of whether the Congress and other opposition parties would support the legislation under the existing implementation framework.
The disagreement reflects a wider debate over how and when women’s representation should be increased in elected bodies, while also addressing concerns surrounding delimitation and the future composition of the Lok Sabha.