A fresh political clash has erupted over the women’s reservation and delimitation bills. The dispute followed Rahul Gandhi’s remarks about women’s empowerment. BJP leaders questioned Congress support for implementing women’s reservation. Meanwhile, Congress leader Pawan Khera raised questions about the government’s handling of the law.
He said the Lok Sabha approved the bill on September 20, 2023. The Rajya Sabha cleared it one day later, on September 21. President gave approval to the legislation on September 28. Khera said Congress supported the measure wholeheartedly in Parliament. However, he questioned why the government waited until April 16, 2026, before notifying the law. He also asked why authorities linked women’s reservation with census and delimitation.
The Women’s Reservation Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on September 20, 2023, by the Rajya Sabha on September 21, and received Presidential assent on September 28.
The Congress supported it wholeheartedly.
Yet the BJP government did not even notify the law for over two and a… https://t.co/3Ef0MF6jjs
— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 ಪವನ್ ಖೇರಾ (@Pawankhera) August 24, 2026
Congress cites Parliament’s approval as political row grows
Pawan Khera argued that the delay needs an explanation from the government. He questioned why women’s reservation remained pending for more than two-and-a-half years. According to Khera, Congress fully backed the constitutional amendment during parliamentary proceedings. He also questioned the decision to connect implementation with census and delimitation.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram reacted to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s remarks about Rahul Gandhi. Fadnavis reportedly accused Gandhi and Congress of opposing the women’s reservation measure. Chidambaram rejected that claim and recalled Congress support for the 2023 constitutional amendment. The amendment provides 33 percent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Rahul Gandhi had earlier criticised the mindset he linked with Manusmriti. Speaking at a student event in Pune, Gandhi said women should not face suppression. He argued that such thinking conflicts with women’s freedom and dignity.
Consequently, the BJP and Congress have continued targeting each other over the issue. Smriti Irani urged Gandhi to support early implementation of the women’s reservation law. She said his support for women’s rights should translate into concrete action. Irani also urged Congress to support Narendra Modi’s initiative for 33 percent parliamentary reservation.
The political debate now centres on implementation, delimitation and the timeline attached to women’s representation.
