Women’s Reservation Bill tabled in Lok Sabha amid Oppn uproar
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New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday introduced the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, triggering a heated exchange in the House during the ongoing special session of Parliament.
Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the proposed Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and also tabled the Delimitation Bill, 2026, paving the way for discussion on implementing one-third reservation for women in legislative bodies.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also introduced the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, as part of the day’s legislative agenda.
The introduction of the Bills drew sharp reactions from the Opposition. Congress MP K. C. Venugopal opposed all three proposals and formally placed the party’s objections on record, alleging that “the government wants to completely hijack the Constitution.” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Amit Shah responded that the Bills had only been introduced and would be taken up for detailed discussion later.
As Venugopal continued speaking, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla intervened, stating that adequate time would be provided during the debate.
Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav objected to the Bills, raising concerns that Muslim women were being excluded from the proposed reservation framework. In response, Rijiju termed the remark “unconstitutional.”
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said his party supports women’s reservation in principle but questioned the delay in conducting the Census, alleging that the government was avoiding a caste-based census. He said, “They are delaying the census because when it happens, we will ask for the caste-based census, and they don't want it.”
Responding to this, Amit Shah said the Census process had already begun nationwide and would be followed by a caste-based census. He added that the current House Listing phase is underway, noting that houses are not linked to caste. He also remarked that if the SP had its way, it would assign caste identities to homes.
Shah also criticised Dharmendra Yadav’s comments, calling them “unconstitutional” and stating that the Constitution does not permit religious discrimination in reservation matters.
Akhilesh Yadav later termed Shah’s remarks on the Muslim community “undemocratic.” Shah responded sharply, saying, “We are not stopping the Samajwadi Party from giving all their tickets to Muslim women.”
The debate is expected to continue in the Lok Sabha as both the government and Opposition prepare to advance their positions on the proposed amendments and broader issues of women’s representation in legislatures.
With IANS inputs