Kashmir Impulse Desk

New Delhi, April 17 

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday criticised the government’s proposed constitutional amendment on women’s reservation, saying it was an attempt to alter India’s electoral map rather than empower women.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha during a debate on legislation linked to women’s quota and delimitation, Gandhi said the proposal was “a shameful act” that sought to “change the country’s electoral structure while hiding behind India’s women”.

“This bill has nothing to do with women’s reservation,” he said, alleging it was designed to retain political power and delay broader representation reforms.

The bill proposed 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, along with a delimitation exercise that would increase the number of seats in parliament.

Gandhi argued that the move could impact representation of marginalised groups, including Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Dalits and minorities, and accused the government of attempting to bypass caste-based data considerations.

He also raised concerns that the proposed changes could alter the balance of representation among states, particularly affecting southern and smaller regions.

“This is a very dangerous move. The opposition will not allow this attempt to reshape the nation’s political structure,” he said.

Gandhi said the government should instead implement earlier provisions on women’s reservation, offering opposition support for such a move.

His remarks drew protests from treasury benches, with senior ministers objecting to parts of his speech.

The debate comes as parliament considered a set of bills tied to women’s reservation and delimitation, which require broad support to be enacted.