Sonia Gandhi Criticizes Women’s Quota Bill as Constitutionally Flawed
Concerns Over Delimitation and Legislative Process
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi expressed strong concerns regarding the government’s handling of the women’s reservation bill, labeling it an “assault” on the Constitution. She emphasized that the real issue at hand is the Centre’s push for delimitation, which she described as “extremely dangerous.” Gandhi’s remarks were published in an article in The Hindu, where she asserted that any effort to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha should be politically equitable rather than merely arithmetical.
Gandhi pointed out that states that have successfully managed their population growth should not be penalized in the delimitation process. She accused the government of rushing the legislation during ongoing election cycles in states like Tamil Nadu and West Bengal with the intention of gaining political advantage and putting the opposition parties on the defensive.
Women’s Reservation Linked to Delimitation
In her statement, Gandhi referred to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, noting that Parliament had previously passed the law unanimously in September 2023, connecting women’s reservation to the upcoming Census and delimitation exercise under Article 334-A. She criticized the opposition’s acceptance of the condition tied to the Census and suggested that the Congress Party had advocated for the implementation of women’s reservation to begin with the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Gandhi questioned the government’s reported plans to amend provisions to facilitate implementation starting in 2029, expressing confusion over the government’s shift in stance after 30 months of inaction. She added that Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, had requested immediate implementation, a demand the government had ignored.
Delays and Caste Count Issues
Former Lok Sabha MP Gandhi linked the matter to delays in the Census, highlighting the postponement of the 2021 Census and the recent commencement of enumeration, which has started five years late. She argued that this delay has left over 10 crore people without their legal rights under the National Food Security Act, 2013.
Gandhi dismissed claims that conducting a caste census would delay the process, citing quicker surveys conducted by states like Bihar and Telangana. She referred to official statements suggesting that most data from the Census in 2027 could be available the same year, criticizing the government’s urgency as unsubstantiated. She accused the government of inconsistency, noting that they had previously rejected a caste census before changing their position to include it in Census 2027.
Special Parliament Session Ahead
These remarks are made in anticipation of a special session of Parliament scheduled from April 16 to 18, where amendments related to women’s reservation are expected to be discussed. The government is also contemplating a delimitation bill, which could result in an increase of Lok Sabha seats from the current 543 to 816. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan’ in New Delhi, aimed at garnering support for increasing women’s representation in legislative bodies.
Gandhi noted that Opposition leaders had reached out multiple times for an all-party meeting after April 29 to discuss the proposals, but these requests were declined. She criticized the government for relying on public outreach and opinion pieces, labeling it an “underhand tactic” and indicative of a “my way or the highway” approach.
She argued that the urgency of the situation is overstated, mentioning that the Monsoon session begins in mid-July, providing an opportunity for broader consultations and debates on the proposals. Maintaining her stance, Gandhi reiterated that the current process is “deeply flawed and anti-democratic,” asserting that “reservation for women is not the issue here… the real issue is delimitation.” She emphasized that the pursuit of delimitation poses a significant threat to constitutional integrity.
