Kiren Rijiju Criticizes Opposition for Missing Historic Women's Bill Opportunity
Synopsis
In a sharp rebuke, Kiren Rijiju condemned the Opposition's failure to support the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, calling it a lost chance for a historic advancement in women's rights. The bill aimed to enhance representation and introduce a quota for women in parliament.
Key Takeaways
Historic Opportunity: The Bill represented a chance to enhance women's rights in India.
Government's Position: The current administration is committed to women's empowerment under PM Modi's leadership.
Opposition's Role: Their lack of support led to the Bill's failure.
Interrelated Legislation: The Bill's failure affects other significant legislative measures.
Future of Women's Representation: The delay in the Bill impacts the timeline for achieving gender parity in parliament.
New Delhi, April 17 (NationPress) - Kiren Rijiju, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, criticized the Opposition following the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha on Friday. He stated that they have missed a chance at a historic milestone.
Rijiju's comments come after the Bill garnered 298 votes in favor and 230 against, failing to achieve the necessary two-thirds majority for constitutional amendments.
"The outcome reflects on a crucial and historic Bill aimed at providing respect and rights to women in our nation. The Opposition's lack of support is regrettable," he remarked.
"This was a historic opportunity that you (the Opposition) have squandered."
Rijiju spoke before the House after an extensive debate on three significant Bills, including the Delimitation Bill and the proposal to extend the women's quota to Union Territories.
"Apart from the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, we are considering two other interrelated bills: the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, which should not be viewed in isolation," he added.
"Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we will persist in our efforts to secure women's rights."
However, the Union Minister confirmed that the government would not proceed with the remaining two Bills.
It is noteworthy that the Bill sought to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850, a significant change linked to a long-awaited delimitation process that would adjust electoral boundaries based on demographic shifts.
Additionally, it aimed to implement a 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, a reform that had been promised but postponed until after the next delimitation.
The government argued that the enhancement and redistribution of seats were essential to address the growing disparity between voters and their representatives, a gap exacerbated since the last delimitation based on the 1971 Census.
Conversely, opposition parties contended that the government was leveraging the promise of women's empowerment as a facade for a political strategy that would favor northern states with higher population growth, to the detriment of southern states which have stabilized their demographics.
Point of View
The defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill represents a missed opportunity for legislative progress regarding women's rights. The government's emphasis on increasing representation reflects a commitment to gender equality, while the Opposition's stance raises questions about their priorities in fostering women's empowerment.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill?
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill aimed to enhance the representation of women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies by operationalizing a 33% quota and increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats.
Why did the Bill fail to pass?
The Bill failed to achieve the necessary two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha, receiving 298 votes in favor and 230 against.
What did Kiren Rijiju say about the Opposition's actions?
Kiren Rijiju criticized the Opposition for not supporting the Bill, claiming they have lost a historic opportunity to advance women's rights.
What are the implications of the Bill's failure?
The failure of the Bill delays the implementation of women's representation in parliament and highlights the ongoing struggle for gender equality in legislative processes.
How does this Bill relate to the Delimitation Bill?
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill is interrelated with the Delimitation Bill, which aims to adjust electoral boundaries based on population changes.
