Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday criticised the proposed constitutional amendment bills, claiming they have little to do with women’s empowerment and are instead aimed at altering India’s electoral landscape.
Speaking during a debate in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi argued that the bill does not genuinely focus on women’s reservation. He alleged that it is being presented under the guise of women’s empowerment while pursuing a different political objective, reported the PTI.
Rahul Gandhi claimed the government is attempting to redraw the country’s electoral map by reducing representation from southern, northeastern, and smaller states.
He described the move as unfair and warned that it could significantly impact political balance across regions.
VIDEO | Parliament Session: Speaking in Lok Sabha during debate on Women`s Reservation Bill, LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi), says “So, I want to assure my friends, brothers, and sisters across the country, especially those in the southern states, smaller states,… pic.twitter.com/rmetcM7Tb2
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 17, 2026
Call to implement Women`s Reservation Act 2023
He urged the government to implement the Women`s Reservation Act 2023 instead, stating that the opposition would support its immediate passage if brought forward in its original form, according to the PTI.
The Congress leader accused the government of avoiding proper representation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs). He also alleged that efforts were being made to disconnect caste census data from political representation for the foreseeable future, the news agency reported.
Rahul Gandhi said the proposed changes were driven by concerns over losing political ground. He accused the government of attempting to reshape India’s political map to maintain power, calling the move “nothing short of an anti-national act”, as per the PTI.
Assurance to states
According to the news agency, he assured southern, northeastern, and smaller states that the opposition would resist any attempt to reduce their representation in Parliament.
During the debate, Gandhi also responded to objections from treasury benches regarding his remarks about past government decisions. He asserted that political parties should not equate themselves with the nation or the armed forces.
Bills introduced in Parliament
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha following a division of votes. Additionally, two other bills — the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill — were tabled to facilitate implementation of the revised women’s quota provisions in Union Territories such as Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu and Kashmir, the news agency reported.
(with PTI inputs)