Kiren Rijiju urges opposition not to link women’s quota bill with delimitation debate

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday, April 16 termed the Women’s Reservation Bill a “historic” legislative step and expressed confidence that it would receive broad-based support across party lines in Parliament.

Speaking in New Delhi, Rijiju said the proposed legislation, which seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, marks a significant milestone in India’s parliamentary history. He noted that the passage of the bill would reflect a long-pending commitment to enhancing women’s representation in governance.

Rijiju emphasised that the government expects cooperation from all political parties to ensure the bill’s passage, describing it as a measure of national importance rather than a partisan issue. He said there was strong optimism within the government that the legislation would not face resistance during the parliamentary process.

Addressing concerns raised by sections of the opposition, the minister cautioned against linking the bill to issues related to delimitation. He urged opposition parties not to “spread rumours” or create apprehensions, particularly in southern states, by misinterpreting the intent and provisions of the legislation.

He further appealed to political stakeholders to avoid introducing unrelated issues that could delay or derail the bill. Rijiju said the focus should remain on the core objective of ensuring greater political participation of women and advancing gender parity in elected bodies.

The Women’s Reservation Bill has remained pending for several years despite repeated discussions. The government has maintained that its passage would be a transformative step toward inclusive governance and democratic representation.