Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, accused the BJP-led Central government of using the 2011 census instead of the current caste-based census for passing the Women’s Reservation Bill. Gandhi labeled the proposed amendment as a move to seize power through delimitation and gerrymandering. The Parliament is set to discuss amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, and a delimitation Bill to enable one-third reservation for women.
Gandhi emphasized the Congress’s firm support for Women’s Reservation, highlighting that the Bill was unanimously passed in 2023. He stressed the importance of the issue, particularly for marginalized groups like backward classes, Dalits, tribal communities, and women, urging their active participation. Alleging deception of the public, Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not opting for the ongoing caste or OBC census for the Women’s Reservation Bill but relying on the 2011 census data.
The Opposition leader accused the government of depriving backward classes of participation based on their actual population, terming the move as deceitful. He questioned the government’s reluctance to use the latest census data for the Bill and criticized the decision as anti-national. Gandhi also raised concerns about the proposed delimitation Bill, warning that it could reduce representation from southern and northeastern states, which he deemed as an unpatriotic act.
