Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju traded sharp remarks on Saturday regarding the women’s reservation bill, as disagreement persists over tying the measure to a proposed delimitation process. The exchange followed Rijiju’s reference to a video of Gandhi discussing women’s freedom of expression, in which he urged support for the quota legislation. Gandhi replied by asking why the bill was being connected to delimitation without reason.
Parliament’s Monsoon session has remained largely stalled since July 20. Rijiju has contacted Gandhi several times in recent days to seek passage of a constitution amendment bill that combines delimitation with women’s reservation. As a constitutional change, the bill needs a two-thirds majority, which the ruling alliance lacks alone, prompting the outreach.
Rijiju again appealed to Gandhi on Saturday by sharing the video and noting what he described as a positive shift in the opposition leader’s stance on women. He called for unconditional backing of the reservation bill from Congress.
Gandhi responded within hours, pointing out that the women’s reservation bill had already passed in 2023 with Congress support. He questioned why implementation had not occurred after three years and why delimitation was now being attached as a condition. Gandhi insisted the 2023 law should take effect without restrictions.
The 2023 women’s reservation law aims to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women. Its rollout was linked to a future census, delaying it beyond 2034. The new proposal uses 2011 census data to allow implementation before the 2029 elections but connects it to redrawing constituencies, increasing total Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850, with 273 reserved for women.
Opposition parties argue that population-based delimitation using 2011 figures would favor northern states over southern ones. An earlier attempt to pass the bill in April failed, and the government is now seeking approval during the current session.
On August 5, Rijiju met Gandhi for about 50 minutes to gain support for the delimitation-linked bill and an amended FCRA measure. Sources indicated Gandhi rejected the linkage of women’s reservation to delimitation. Further contact occurred on August 6, with Gandhi stating the matter would be reviewed internally and with allies before a response. He also sought a statement from the home minister on recent student protests and a temple donation case.
With one week remaining in the session, it is unclear whether Congress will alter its position.
