Congress Alleges ‘U-Turn’ by Modi Government on Women’s Reservation Law, Demands Apology

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on X that when the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 was passed unanimously by Parliament in 2023, the Indian National Congress had demanded its implementation from 2024. He stated that this demand was not accepted by the Prime Minister, who made the reservation contingent on delimitation and census exercises that, according to him, had not been conducted and had been delayed for years.

Mr. Ramesh further claimed that 30 months later, and in the face of defeat in Assembly elections, the Prime Minister had altered his stance. He alleged that this shift came “in spite of the Election Commission of India functioning as a subordinate office of the Union Home Ministry,” and said the government now wants the Census and census-based delimitation to be disregarded on the grounds that the process would take too long. This, he argued, contradicts the clarification by the Census Registrar that results would be available by 2027. He described the government’s position as a “narrative based on lies and equivocation,” aimed at influencing women voters in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, where, he added, the BJP lacks a compelling narrative on other issues.

Describing the development as a “U-turn,” Mr. Ramesh said it exposes the government’s unwillingness to engage with the Opposition and reflects a “total lack of planning.” He also accused the Prime Minister of claiming credit for the policy shift, stating that there is “simply no limit to his hypocrisy and deception,” and alleged that the move is intended to mask failures in governance and foreign policy.

The remarks came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the proposed amendments to the Women Reservation Act are not merely a legislative exercise but a reflection of the aspirations of crores of women across India. He urged all Members of Parliament to unite in support of the measure. In a signed article, the Prime Minister said the initiative reaffirms a long-standing principle of India’s civilisational ethos—that societal progress is tied to the progress of women—and emphasised the importance of ensuring that the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and upcoming Assembly polls are conducted with women’s reservation in place.

He further noted that the country stands at the threshold of a historic occasion, presenting an opportunity to strengthen democratic foundations and reaffirm commitment to equality and inclusion. The Prime Minister announced that Parliament will convene on April 16 for a special three-day sitting, extended under the Budget session from April 16 to 18, to discuss and pass amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, enabling its implementation from the 2029 general elections.

The Women Reservation Act, enacted through a constitutional amendment in 2023, provides for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. However, its implementation is currently tied to the completion of the delimitation exercise based on the 2027 Census, which would delay enforcement until 2034 if unchanged. The proposed amendments seek to make the law enforceable from the 2029 elections by basing constituency redrawing on the 2011 Census instead of the proposed 2027 Census.

Under the outlined framework, the number of Lok Sabha seats is expected to increase from 543 to 816, with 273 seats reserved for women. The reservation will also follow a vertical allocation system, ensuring representation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes within the reserved quota.

As the political confrontation intensifies, the debate over the timing and framework of women’s reservation has emerged as a critical issue, with significant implications for electoral representation and the future trajectory of India’s democratic structure