New Delhi, Apr 3: Parliament reconvened this week to discuss proposed amendments to the 2023 Women’s Reservation Act, igniting intense debate between the government and opposition parties. The session comes amid criticism that the timing of the legislative changes could influence upcoming state elections.
Opposition Voices Concerns
Opposition leaders have accused the government of using the amendments to gain electoral advantage ahead of Assembly polls. Voting in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry concludes on April 9, while campaigns continue in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal until April 16. Tamil Nadu’s election will be held in a single phase on April 23, while West Bengal will conduct polling in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.
Understanding the Women’s Reservation Act
The 2023 Act requires that 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies be reserved for women. However, the reservations are to be implemented only after the population census and subsequent delimitation, which defines constituency boundaries as mandated under Article 82 of the Constitution. The Lok Sabha currently follows boundaries based on the 1971 census, with the 84th Amendment freezing changes until after the first census post-2026. The ongoing population census, launched this week, is expected to conclude in 2027.
Proposed Amendments Fuel Political Tensions
The government plans to amend the Act to decouple the 33% women’s quota from the 2027 census, initiating a separate delimitation process. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh highlighted that the proposal could increase Lok Sabha seats by 50%, potentially raising the total from 543 to 816. This would reserve around 270 seats for women, while keeping each state’s proportion of constituencies unchanged.
Debate Intensifies in Rajya Sabha
The session’s extension prompted sharp exchanges in the Rajya Sabha. Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the reconvening, emphasizing that the government intends to introduce an important bill and address pending matters. Ramesh countered that the move seeks political gain, violating the Model Code of Conduct. He also noted that Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge requested postponing all-party meetings on the bill until after state elections. Rijiju dismissed these concerns, asserting the decision aligns with constitutional timelines and commitments to implement women’s reservation in Parliament.