Controversy Erupts in Lok Sabha Over Women's Quota Amendment Bill

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, addressing women's quota, sparked heated debate in the Lok Sabha. Alongside the Delimitation and Union Territories Laws Bills, it faced opposition questioning its timing and constitutional validity. Despite critics, it passed its introduction stage with 251 votes in favor to 185 against.

The Lok Sabha witnessed intense debates during the introduction of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, aimed at amending the women's quota law. Coupled with the Delimitation and Union Territories Laws Bills, it attracted significant scrutiny from opposition benches.

Amid fiery exchanges, Congress leader K C Venugopal criticized the lack of earlier incorporation of changes, while Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav questioned the urgency without a preceding census. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah justified the government's actions, noting plans for caste enumeration and dismissing religion-based reservations as unconstitutional.

Despite facing stiff resistance, with 185 members voting against, the Bill passed with 251 supporting votes. It now proposes increasing Lok Sabha seats to 850 and extending women's reservation, as determined by a contentious delimitation exercise anticipated before the 2029 elections.

(With inputs from agencies.)