New Delhi, April 20 (NationPress) Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday delivered a pointed critique of the Congress party and its allies during a ceremony at the Parliament complex that celebrated the unveiling of a statue of Jagajyothi Basaveshwara in Delhi. He asserted that they “must face consequences” for their opposition to the Women’s Reservation Bill.

Addressing journalists, Rijiju expressed strong disapproval of the Opposition following the failure of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2026 in the Lok Sabha.

This bill, which sought to allocate 33 percent of seats for women in Parliament, did not achieve the necessary two-thirds majority, garnering 298 votes for and 230 against.

Referencing the Prime Minister’s comments, Rijiju stated, “The Prime Minister has indicated that while we cannot disclose our next steps immediately, we will persist in our efforts; our commitment to securing women's rights remains unwavering. However, the party that opposed and obstructed this bill must face repercussions. The defeat of the Women’s Reservation Bill places responsibility on those accountable, does it not? We are presenting this matter to the women of our nation, highlighting that those who resisted women’s reservation should face consequences. The stain on Congress for denying this will never be erased.”

He further emphasized, “There should be no ambiguity regarding this issue, and one must not be misled by the narratives of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, or the Indian National Congress. Avoid engaging in needless debates. Consider the facts: this was a bill aimed at providing reservations for women, and Congress along with its allies failed to support it. Now they are concocting excuses. Women across the nation are infuriated, and out of fear, they are attempting to justify their actions; this is not an issue for excuses.”

Rijiju's comments came during a ceremony at the Parliament complex, where the statue of Jagajyothi Basaveshwara was inaugurated at Prerna Sthal.

He described the occasion as a significant moment, stating, “It is a source of immense pride for all of us that a splendid statue of Jagajyothi Basaveshwara has been unveiled at the Prerna Sthal in the Parliament complex. On this momentous occasion, we are joined by our esteemed colleagues, including H.D. Kumaraswamy and several others. We offered floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Basaveshwara, expressed our prayers, and sought his blessings.”

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy echoed this sentiment, noting, “Our revered Mahatma Basaveshwara, during the 12th century, at a time when the nation faced significant challenges, empowered society and uplifted individuals through his philosophy of ‘Kayakave Kailasa.’”