Women’s Reservation Bill tabled in the Lok Sabha, PM calls it a ‘historic day’, Opposition dismisses it calling it a ‘poll jumla’

The ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyan’ or the Women’s Reservation Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha today by Union Minister of Law, Arjun Ram Meghwal. The bill promises women 33 percent of seats in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Calling it a ‘historic day’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the Opposition to unanimously pass the bill.

"On this historic occasion in the new Parliament building, as the first proceeding of the House, the beginning of all the Parliamentarians opening gateways for women power is being done with this crucial decision," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha. The Prime Minister also stated that the bill advocates for women-led development and will further empower the Indian democracy. "We want more and more women to join the development process of the country," he added.

"Number of women MPs in Lok Sabha will rise to 181 from the current 82," said Arjun Ram Meghwal when he introduced the bill in the house. The bill seeks to increase women's participation in policymaking at the state and national levels. As per the specifications of the legislation, the bill will come into effect after the first delimitation or redrawing of seats, which is expected to take place in 2027.

The Women's Reservation Bill has been dismissed by the Congress as a mere ‘poll jumla’ and a betrayal of the aspirations of millions of Indian women and girls. The party has accused the Modi-led government of using the move as a tactic to secure votes ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Taking to X, Congress expressed their displeasure over the delay in the implementation of the bill. “Understand the chronology of the Women's Reservation Bill This bill was definitely introduced today but the women of our country do not seem to be getting its benefits soon. Why so? Because this bill will come into force only after the census. Let us tell you, that the census was to be conducted in 2021 itself, which has not been done to date. There is no information as to when this census will be held next. Somewhere in the news, it has been said that it will be 2027 or 2028. Only after this census will the delimitation or redefinition of constituencies be done, only then the Women's Reservation Bill will come into force. Meaning, PM Modi has thrown another phrase before the elections and this phrase is the biggest phrase so far. Modi government has betrayed the women of our country and broken their hopes,” read the post.

The Women’s Reservation Bill aims to reserve 33% or 181 seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women. However, no reservation will be made in the Rajya Sabha or state legislative councils. This reservation will last for 15 years after the bill becomes an Act, and the reserved seats will be rotated after every delimitation exercise. Of the 181 reserved seats, one-third will be reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It is noteworthy that the bill does not mention any reservation for Other Backward Classes.​