New Delhi : Despite a two-day special session and intense deliberations, the Modi government failed to secure the necessary two-thirds majority to pass the crucial Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha. The legislative defeat has sparked a fierce political war of words, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi pinning the entire blame on the opposition camp.
A Historic Opportunity Missed
Following the voting late Friday, sources revealed that the Prime Minister expressed deep resentment during a cabinet meeting. Labeling the opposition’s stance as essentially "misogynistic," PM Modi reportedly remarked, "The opposition has made a grave mistake, and they will have to face the consequences. They now owe an answer to the women of this country."
The Prime Minister further emphasized that this act has dampened the hopes of millions of Indian women. He urged that these actions must be highlighted in every village and to every citizen to ensure the nation recognizes the opposition's true stance on gender equality.
The Numbers Game and Strategic Divide
The government aimed to pass three major bills during the special session, primarily the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, which proposed a 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. However, out of the 528 MPs present for voting, the bill received 298 votes in favor and 230 against. It fell short of the required 352-vote mark—the mandatory two-thirds majority.
Concerns Over Delimitation and Future Stakes
The opposition, led by the INDIA bloc, argued that the government was using women's reservation as a tool to redraw India's electoral map through immediate delimitation. While a similar bill was passed in 2023 with a clause for post-census implementation, the current push to rely on 2011 data met with stiff resistance.
"They are trying to alter the voting landscape under the garb of empowerment," an opposition leader stated. The bloc has now decided to write a formal letter to the Prime Minister, demanding that the 2023 version of the bill be implemented immediately without the complexities of fresh seat redistribution, ensuring political empowerment remains the primary goal.
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