India’s Parliament witnessed intense political debate during the ongoing special session as leaders discussed the future of women’s representation in politics. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged the government to bring back the 2023 Women’s Reservation Bill, saying the opposition would fully support it if the Centre reintroduced the original legislation.
Speaking during the discussion, Rahul Gandhi said that if the government simply restored the earlier version of the bill — popularly known as the Nari Shakti Vandhan Adhiniyam — the opposition would help pass it without delay. According to him, empowering women politically should not be postponed due to procedural conditions or political calculations.
The Lok Sabha continued its debate on the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes reserving 33 percent of seats for women in Parliament and state legislative assemblies. The discussion resumed on Friday after lawmakers held a marathon 12-hour debate the previous day. Several MPs spoke on possible amendments to the proposal, including suggestions to remove the condition that the reservation would only be implemented after the next census and delimitation exercise.
At the same time, leaders of the INDIA bloc gathered for a strategy meeting at the chamber of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge inside Parliament. The meeting focused on coordinating the opposition’s approach during the debate and voting process. Opposition parties are pushing for changes that would ensure quicker implementation of the reservation system.
Alongside the Constitution amendment bill, the government has also introduced the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The proposed law seeks to extend women’s reservation provisions to union territories, including Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir.
Another major proposal being discussed is the Delimitation Bill, 2026, which aims to redraw parliamentary constituencies and significantly expand the strength of the Lok Sabha. If the proposal goes through, the number of seats in the lower house could increase from the current 543 to around 850, making it one of the most significant structural changes to India’s parliamentary system in decades.
The delimitation proposal has triggered concerns, particularly among leaders from southern states who fear a possible reduction in their political influence. Addressing these concerns, Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured the House that the southern states would not lose representation after the proposed changes.
Presenting numbers during the debate, Shah explained that states such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala would actually see an increase in the number of MPs once the Lok Sabha expands. He argued that while the overall size of the House would grow, the proportional representation of southern states would remain largely stable.
The Women’s Reservation Bill has been discussed in Indian politics for decades, with many leaders arguing that greater participation of women in lawmaking will strengthen democracy and lead to more inclusive policymaking. If implemented, the bill would significantly increase the number of women representatives in Parliament and state assemblies.
For now, all eyes remain on Parliament as discussions continue and political parties negotiate their positions. The outcome of the debate could shape the future of women’s representation and the structure of India’s electoral map for years to come.