Published: April 25, 2026, 10:00 IST – 1 Minute Read
In this installment of Frontline Conversations, Suhas Palshikar, a political scientist and former professor at Savitribai Phule Pune University in Pune, examines the escalating dispute over India’s delimitation process. He discusses the recent failure of a Constitution Amendment Bill related to women’s reservation and its broader effects on federalism, representation, and building democratic agreement. Using historical background, constitutional rules, and current political trends, he outlines why delimitation is becoming a central topic in India’s political landscape for the coming decade.
The discussion also addresses core issues like representation tied to population, disparities among states, and balancing democratic ideals with federal structures. Palshikar considers the risks of turning topics such as women’s reservation into political tools, which might deepen splits in India’s democratic system.
