Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju shared a video from Sikkim showing support for the Women’s Reservation Bill and criticized the Opposition for its defeat in the Lok Sabha. Despite majority support, the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, failed to secure the necessary two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha. This bill aimed to introduce 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies.
The NDA accuses the Opposition of intentionally obstructing a significant reform to enhance women’s representation in legislative bodies. On the other hand, the Opposition objects to linking the women’s reservation Bill to the Parliament’s expansion based on the 2011 Census and the delimitation exercise. The government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reaffirmed its dedication to the reform, emphasizing its commitment to working for women’s respect.
The Bill received 298 votes in favor and 230 against in the Lok Sabha, falling short of the required two-thirds majority for a constitutional amendment. Alongside the reservation provision, the legislation proposed increasing the Lok Sabha’s strength from 543 to 850 seats, tied to a delimitation exercise to redraw constituencies based on population changes since the 1971 Census. The government defended the Bill as a corrective measure to address representation imbalances and provide long-awaited women’s reservation.
The defeat of the Bill has deepened the political rift, with the government accusing the Opposition of hindering a crucial reform. Meanwhile, the Opposition continues to question the legislation’s intent and timing, raising concerns about political redistribution that could favor certain regions disproportionately and impact federal balance and electoral fairness.
