New Delhi, April 17
Giving reply on behalf of the Union Government pertaining to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and Delimitation in Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “If anyone listens to this discussion carefully, no one has opposed the constitutional amendment for women’s reservation. Everyone has said that we welcome this constitutional amendment that has come. But all members of the INDIA Alliance have clearly opposed women’s reservation.”
Shah further said, “The purpose of these three bills is constitutional amendment aimed at empowering women should be implemented in a time-bound manner so that the 2029 elections can be held with women’s reservation. One person — one vote — one value. This principle, which is at the core of our Constitution and was determined by the Constituent Assembly, should be implemented in the spirit of that Constitution.” He further added that the Indian Constitution provides for periodic delimitation, while adding, “Delimitation also includes provisions for increasing the seats for SC and ST in proportion to their growing population. In a way, those opposing delimitation are also opposing the increase in SC and ST seats.”
Shah also said, “There are 127 seats where the constituency has more than 20 lakh. It goes against the spirit of the principle – One person, one vote and one value. At some places, 45 lakh voters have one representative, and at some places, six lakh voters have one representative. As a result, the value of each vote is not equal across constituencies.”
Replying to the Opposition concerns about why delimitation should be brought now, Shah said, “Let me clarify that the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam mentions that after the census to be conducted post-2026, in the delimitation that follows, reservation for women will be ensured. Now they say, why was such a mention made when bringing the bill? We did not do this. In 1971, there was Indira Gandhi’s government; it was then that they froze it, and only by lifting the number of seats that were frozen does the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam happen, which is why we have brought it.”
Continuing his speech, Shah told the House, “First, in 1972, the government of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi brought the Delimitation Bill, increasing the number of seats from 525 to 545 and then freezing it. In 1976, to save power during the Emergency, the 42nd Amendment imposed a freeze on delimitation. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister; she brought a law to impose a freeze on delimitation, but today they are so powerful that, sitting in the opposition, they want to impose a freeze on delimitation. Even back then, it was the Congress that deprived the country’s people through delimitation, and even today, it is the Congress that is depriving the country’s people through delimitation. In 1976, the population of this country was 567.9 million, and today it is 1.4 billion. The opposition believes that the same number of MPs that existed for a population of 567.9 million should also be maintained for a population of 1.4 billion.”
On some members questioning that why the census was not conducted on time, Shah replied, “Everyone knows that the census was supposed to happen in 2021, and in 2021 itself came the biggest pandemic crisis of this century, COVID, due to which the census could not be carried out. After the COVID crisis ended, it took the country quite some time to recover from it. When the census began in 2024, some parties rightly demanded that the census should be conducted on the basis of caste. The government held discussions with numerous parties, caste groups, state governments, and several social groups, and decided that we will conduct a caste census. And after this decision, the census is now underway.”
“I want to clarify to the 140 crore people that the decision taken by Narendra Modi’s cabinet to conduct a caste census is a decision in the cabinet proposal to conduct the 2026 census along with caste. Secondly, an injustice will be done to the South. Yesterday, I felt a little fear that there shouldn’t be a North versus South narrative. I clarify that the southern states have as much right over this House as the northern states do. This country should not be divided by a North-South narrative. When we take the oath, we take it with our heart. Those who have taken the oath with the Constitution in hand are trying to create a divide between North and South. We will not allow this”, added Shah.
The Union Home Minister added that ever since this bill was introduced, the opposition has started spreading some misconceptions that the government has brought a constitutional amendment to delay the caste census. “I want to clarify that three months ago, we had already announced the complete timetable for the caste census—there’s no question of delaying it. The caste census has already begun, and its first phase is underway. The second misleading information being spread is that the South will be treated unfairly. Let me make it clear: the Southern states have just as much right to be represented in this House as the Northern states. Our country should not be divided along North-South lines.,” he clarified.
Quoting some figures, Shah said, “Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala – Out of the 543 seats in these five states, the current number is 129, which comes to a percentage of 23.76. Now, after the increase, when the allocation for these five states is done, the number of seats will rise from 129 to 195. If we calculate the percentage out of 816, it will come to 23.87. Previously, it was 23.76 percent, and now it will be 23.87. No one will suffer any loss.”
“I want to address the women of this country and highlight that the proposal put forward by the Congress Party, in the absence of Rahul Gandhi, is a carefully planned trap designed to delay women’s reservations until after 2029. Therefore, I support those who advocate for equal representation for our states. Women’s reservations must be implemented before 2029. We will not allow their conspiracy to postpone this important reform beyond 2029 to succeed,” said Shah. He also pointed out that the Indian Constitution does not recognise reservations based on religion, while adding, “Despite this, the INDI Alliance—motivated by appeasement politics—seeks to demand reservations for Muslims, even as they cite the Constitution in support of their position.”
Home Minister said, “Under the Modi govt, 27 ministers are from the OBC, which is 40 per cent. Under the Modi govt, the OBC commission was given constitutional status. Modi govt empowered the states by giving them the right to amend the OBC list.”
Shah further said, “It’s not just the Women’s Reservation Bill that’s facing opposition; we abolished Article 370, they opposed it; we built the Ram Temple, they opposed it; we brought CAA, they opposed it; we ended triple talaq, they opposed it; we introduced GST, they opposed it; we created Ayushman Bharat, they opposed it; we built the new Parliament building, they opposed it; we established CDS, they opposed it; we eradicated Naxalism, they opposed it; they opposed airstrikes, surgical strikes, Operation Sindoor. These people have resolved to oppose whatever Narendra Modi is doing, without thinking whether it’s good or bad.”
“To establish women, to empower them, to give them representation, to ensure their participation in legislative bodies… even if we have to face opposition for it, we will do it, we will fight, and we will continue to provide reservation to women,” concluded Shah.
