Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized that the proposed amendment to the Women’s Reservation Bill is not controversial and called for bipartisan backing without politicization. The amendment aims to implement one-third reservation for women in legislative bodies based on the 2011 Census before the 2029 general elections, decoupling it from the 2027 Census. A special Parliament session on April 16 will address this issue.
Rijiju stressed that the Women’s Reservation Bill should transcend politics and receive universal support, as it was unanimously passed in 2023. He urged Opposition leaders, including Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, to endorse the bill without politicizing it. Responding to concerns raised by Sonia Gandhi, Rijiju assured that the full text of the amendment will be made public soon to address any apprehensions.
The minister highlighted the simplicity and clarity of the amendment, stating that it contains no controversial elements. Emphasizing collective ownership of the reform, Rijiju urged all parties to unite in supporting the bill, which he described as a national achievement rather than a partisan victory.
