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Rahul Gandhi slams women's reservation bill (Img: Sansad Tv)
New Delhi: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a strong critique of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, questioning both its intent and its effectiveness in ensuring genuine empowerment.
Participating in the debate during the special Parliament session, Gandhi said the current proposal does not fulfil the objective of strengthening women’s representation in a meaningful way.
Gandhi argued that the bill, in its present form, cannot be described as a true measure for women’s empowerment. He said the proposal lacks clarity on implementation and fails to address structural issues that affect political representation.
He also referred to earlier legislative efforts, suggesting that previous versions of the women’s reservation framework were more aligned with the goal of empowerment.
“You’re telling South India, the Northeast & smaller states that their representation will be reduced for power. This is nothing short of an anti-national act—and we won’t allow it,” says LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.#Parliament #Delimitation #RahulGandhi #IndiaPolitics… pic.twitter.com/Yrk569djQP
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) April 17, 2026
A significant part of Gandhi’s argument focused on the absence of explicit provisions for marginalised communities. He questioned the lack of representation for Dalits, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and Adivasis within the framework of the bill.
According to him, without targeted inclusion of these groups, the legislation risks leaving out sections that require political representation the most.
Gandhi further alleged that the proposal is connected to broader changes in India’s electoral structure. He argued that the linkage between the women’s reservation measure and delimitation raises concerns about its underlying intent.
Describing the move as an attempt to reshape the electoral landscape, he said such structural reforms should be debated separately and with greater transparency.
Despite his criticism, Gandhi acknowledged the central role women play in shaping society. He noted that women contribute significantly to both personal and national development, influencing generations through their roles in families and communities.
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He said any legislation aimed at women’s empowerment must reflect this importance and ensure inclusive representation across social groups.
The remarks come amid an ongoing debate in Parliament over the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, which seeks to reserve 33 per cent seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
The discussion has seen sharp exchanges between the government and opposition, particularly over the bill’s linkage with delimitation and its broader political implications.
