India Women's Reservation Bill Defeated

The Constitution Amendment Bill, which aimed to operationalize women's reservation in legislatures from 2029 and increase the strength of the India — Lok Sabha, was defeated in the Lower House of India's Parliament. The India — Bharatiya Janata Party, which introduced the bill, accused the India — Indian National Congress and other opposition parties of betraying women and playing politics by stalling the bill. Union minister Kiren Rijiju and Shobha Karandlaje criticized the opposition, with Shobha Karandlaje specifically targeting Rahul Gandhi. Conversely, the India — Indian National Congress and its allies, including Shashi Tharoor and K. C. Venugopal, asserted that they support women's reservation but objected to the bill's linkage with delimitation, which they argued raised fundamental questions about India's unity and democracy. Leaders like John Brittas and Ram Gopal Yadav from the opposition also accused the government of political motives, suggesting the bill was brought with upcoming elections in mind despite lacking the necessary two-thirds majority for passage. The bill required 352 votes but only secured 298 in favor, with 230 against.