Women's Reservation Bill Faces Defeat in Lok Sabha Amidst Heated Debate

The Women's Reservation Bill, intended for implementation from the 2029 general elections, was defeated in the Lok Sabha as the opposition voted against it. The bill failed to secure the necessary two-thirds majority, with tense debate sparking division over future electoral representation and women's political empowerment.

The Constitution Amendment Bill aiming to introduce women's reservation in the Lok Sabha from the 2029 elections suffered a setback on Friday. It was defeated in the lower house as opposition parties voted against the measure, highlighting deep political divides. To pass, the bill required the support of at least two-thirds of the members present and voting.

In a dramatic division of votes, 298 members supported the bill while 230 opposed it. The Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, announced the results, confirming the bill's failure to achieve the necessary majority. Despite this defeat, discussions continued around related legislation, including the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill and the Delimitation Bill.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized that without the constitution amendment's success, the government would not pursue the ancillary bills further. The debate saw Home Minister Amit Shah cautioning opposition parties about their stance against the reservation bill, predicting electoral backlash from women. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the Delimitation Bill as a political maneuver rather than a move towards women's empowerment.

(With inputs from agencies.)