Rahul Gandhi Urges Centre to Implement Women's Reservation Law Without Conditions
Rahul Gandhi hits back at Kiren Rijiju, Congress opposes linking implementation to delimitation.

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday responded to Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju's call for Congress to support the Women's Reservation Bill unconditionally. Gandhi stated that the legislation had already been passed unanimously in 2023 with the Congress' full support.
Gandhi questioned Rijiju on why the law had still not been implemented even after three years and why the Centre now wanted to link it to delimitation. He urged the Centre to implement the law without any conditions. The Women's Reservation Bill, enacted as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in 2023, provides for reserving one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women.
Rijiju's remarks came after Gandhi posted a video discussing women's participation and freedom of expression. The Union minister described Gandhi's message as a positive one and said there appeared to be a visible change of heart in his approach towards women. However, the Congress and other Opposition parties have opposed linking the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill to delimitation.
They have demanded that the reservation provisions be implemented without waiting for the delimitation exercise. Earlier, Gandhi had said that the energy of India's women was being restricted and argued that women must have greater freedom to express themselves in every sphere of life. He said India's progress would remain incomplete unless women were able to express themselves freely.
The Congress has been consistent in its support for women's reservation but has opposed the condition of delimitation. The party has argued that the reservation provisions should be implemented immediately, without any further delay. The issue of women's reservation has been a longstanding demand of women's rights groups and political parties.
The Women's Reservation Bill was first introduced in 1996 but has been pending for over two decades. The bill was finally passed in 2023, but its implementation has been delayed due to the condition of delimitation. The Congress and other Opposition parties have been pressing the Centre to implement the law without any further delay.
The implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill is crucial for increasing the representation of women in Parliament and state assemblies. Women constitute nearly half of the population, but their representation in elected bodies is still very low. The reservation of seats for women is expected to increase their participation in politics and give them a greater voice in decision-making.
In conclusion, the implementation of the Women's Reservation Law without conditions is a crucial step towards increasing the representation of women in politics. The Congress and other Opposition parties have been consistent in their support for women's reservation, and it is time for the Centre to implement the law without any further delay.
The issue of women's reservation is not just a matter of politics, but also a matter of social justice. Women's participation in politics is essential for ensuring that their rights and interests are represented. The implementation of the Women's Reservation Law is a step towards achieving greater gender equality and ensuring that women have a greater voice in decision-making.
The Centre should take immediate action to implement the Women's Reservation Law without any conditions. This will not only increase the representation of women in politics but also give them a greater voice in decision-making. It is time for the Centre to take concrete steps towards achieving greater gender equality and ensuring that women's rights and interests are represented.
The implementation of the Women's Reservation Law is a matter of great importance, and it is time for the Centre to take action. The Congress and other Opposition parties have been consistent in their support for women's reservation, and it is time for the Centre to implement the law without any further delay. The issue of women's reservation is not just a matter of politics, but also a matter of social justice, and it is time for the Centre to take concrete steps towards achieving greater gender equality.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Women's Reservation Bill?
The Women's Reservation Bill provides for reserving one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women.
Why has the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill been delayed?
The implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill has been delayed due to the condition of delimitation.