New Delhi: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan gave a fiery response to Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, stating that women’s reservation is not about political credit; it is about dignity, representation and the rightful empowerment of women. India’s women deserve outcomes, not recurring promises that never translate into reality.
Let us be absolutely clear on facts. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (2023) did not emerge from a sudden demand of the Congress. It was brought forward and enacted under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after decades during which the issue was debated, deferred and left unresolved. For more than 25 years, women’s reservation in Parliament remained a pending promise—discussed repeatedly but never delivered.
Parliament has now passed the 106th Constitutional Amendment providing one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, including within seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This is no longer a proposal or intent; it is now part of the Constitution of India.
Your concern about implementation is noted. However, the Amendment explicitly links its operationalisation to the next delimitation exercise following the Census. This is not a matter of political preference but a constitutional requirement designed to maintain India’s federal balance and ensure fairness in representation.
The government’s intent is to operationalise women’s reservation in time for the 2029 general elections. This requires follow-up measures, including adjustments to the composition of legislatures. On delimitation and seat expansion, the government remains mindful of the sensitivities involved. No State that has contributed to national progress through responsible population stabilisation will be disadvantaged; the objective is to expand representation so that women can enter legislatures meaningfully without diminishing any State’s voice.
If the Congress truly stands for women’s empowerment, this is the moment to demonstrate it—by engaging constructively in Parliament, proposing improvements where needed and helping ensure that this historic reform is implemented without further delay.
India’s women deserve delivery, not delay.