Rahul Gandhi alleges Women’s Reservation Bill used to 'reshape electoral map of India'
Govt telling southern, northeastern, small states that for BJP to remain in power, "we are going to take away representation from you", says Rahul
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the central government in the Lok Sabha on Friday, alleging that its proposed women’s reservation bill is politically motivated and not genuinely aimed at empowering women.
Speaking during the debate, Gandhi argued that the bill “has nothing to do with empowerment of women” and instead serves as a tool to reshape the country’s electoral landscape. He claimed the government is “hiding behind India’s women” to push a broader political agenda.
Gandhi urged the government to reintroduce the 2023 version of the women’s reservation bill, stating that the opposition would support its immediate implementation. “Bring back the 2023 women’s bill and we will help you pass it this second,” he said.
The Congress MP also accused the government of deliberately sidelining Other Backward Classes (OBCs), alleging that it is avoiding meaningful representation for these communities. He further claimed that the government is attempting to disconnect the caste census from political representation for the next 15 years.
Targeting the ruling party, Gandhi said the Bharatiya Janata Party is concerned about losing its electoral strength and is therefore trying to “rejig the Indian political map.”
The government has not yet issued a detailed response to these specific allegations, though it has previously defended the bill as a historic step toward increasing women’s participation in governance.
The debate is expected to continue as both sides remain divided over the intent and structure of the proposed legislation.
