Rijiju dares Rahul Gandhi to back Women's Quota Bill, cites 'visible change of heart'
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has thrown down the gauntlet to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, challenging him to openly support the Women's Reservation Bill, which was passed by Parliament in September 2023. Rijiju's remarks come amid ongoing political exchanges over the implementation of the landmark legislation.
Speaking to reporters, Rijiju said, 'There is a visible change of heart in Rahul Gandhi's approach towards the Bill. I urge him to make his support explicit and not leave any ambiguity. The country wants to see all parties stand together on this historic step for women's empowerment.'
The Women's Reservation Bill, officially known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, reserves one-third of all seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women. It was passed with overwhelming support in both houses of Parliament, receiving 454 votes in favour and only two against in the Lok Sabha, and unanimous support in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill was subsequently signed into law by the President.
However, implementation of the quota is subject to a delimitation exercise, which is expected to be carried out after the next census. This has led to demands from various opposition parties, including the Congress, for immediate implementation, arguing that delaying the quota would postpone women's representation by several years.
Rahul Gandhi has previously criticised the government over the timeline, alleging that the Bill was a 'jumla' (rhetorical promise) and that the government had no intention of implementing it soon. The Congress has also raised questions about the lack of a sub-quota for women from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes within the reserved seats.
Rijiju's challenge appears to be an attempt to corner the Congress over its position. By daring Rahul Gandhi to support the Bill unequivocally, the ruling party is seeking to portray the opposition as inconsistent—supporting the Bill in principle but opposing the government's approach to it.
Political analysts view this as a strategic move ahead of the upcoming general elections, where women's issues are likely to be a key campaign theme. The government has been highlighting its initiatives for women, while the opposition has been pushing for greater inclusivity and faster action.
The Congress has not yet responded formally to Rijiju's remarks. Party leaders have maintained that they welcome the Bill but insist that it must be implemented without delay and with adequate provisions for marginalised communities.
The Women's Reservation Bill has a long history in India. First introduced in 1996, it was repeatedly stalled due to lack of consensus. Its successful passage in 2023 was hailed as a historic moment, but the road to actual implementation remains uncertain. The Bill states that the reservation will come into effect after the delimitation exercise, which itself depends on the first census conducted after the law's commencement.
The government has assured that the reservation will be in place in time for the 2029 elections, following the next census. Critics, on the other hand, argue that the government could have provided for a temporary mechanism to avoid delay.
As the political debate intensifies, the central question remains: how soon will Indian women see one-third of parliamentary and assembly seats reserved for them? The exchange between Rijiju and Rahul Gandhi is likely to keep this issue in the public eye, with both sides trying to claim the high ground on women's empowerment.
For now, the ball is in Rahul Gandhi's court. Whether he chooses to respond to Rijiju's challenge and how he frames his support for the Bill could shape the narrative in the coming weeks.
