Kashmir Impulse Desk

New Delhi, April 16 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday sought to allay concerns over the proposed delimitation exercise, saying parliamentary representation of southern states will not be reduced even as the government plans to expand the Lok Sabha.

Speaking in Parliament during debate on bills linked to women’s reservation and delimitation, Shah said the number of seats would rise across the country and that southern states would see an increase in representation in absolute terms.

He rejected allegations that the exercise would distort regional balance, saying the delimitation framework was being implemented in line with existing legal provisions.

Shah also said the government had decided to conduct a caste census as part of the upcoming population enumeration exercise, dismissing opposition criticism that the process lacked clarity.

He further said reservation based on religion would not be permitted under the Constitution, rejecting calls for quotas for Muslim women on that basis.

The Centre has proposed expanding the Lok Sabha from 543 to 816 seats following delimitation, alongside measures linked to implementation of women’s reservation in legislatures.