Modi Government Faces Legislative Setback Over Women's Reservation Bill
Government's Response to Legislative Failure
Following the failure to pass the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, the Modi administration encountered its first legislative setback since 2014. In a swift response the next day, the government criticized the opposition, particularly the Congress party, asserting that the events of Friday highlighted Congress's anti-women stance. Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, launched a strong attack, stating that the opposition would be 'democratically punished' for their actions.
Details of the Budget Session
Rijiju noted that the budget session had officially concluded, describing it as highly productive. The central budget was successfully passed, and during the second session, the Prime Minister addressed both houses regarding the crisis in West Asia. The budget session was extended for three additional days, from April 16 to 18, during which the Nari Shakti Vandan Act and the delimitation amendment bill were introduced. Although the government holds a majority, it failed to secure the two-thirds majority required for constitutional amendments, resulting in the bill's rejection. All other government bills, however, were passed.
Government's Disappointment and Future Outlook
While Rijiju expressed disappointment over the bill's failure in the Lok Sabha, he emphasized that this was neither a failure of the central government nor the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He labeled the day as a 'dark day' for everyone and condemned Congress's celebratory response as shameful and disgraceful. Nevertheless, he praised the success of the parliamentary session and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the government's efforts to empower women.
Clarifying Misconceptions on Women's Reservation
As the Minister of Minority Affairs, Rijiju addressed comments made by Rahul Gandhi, who claimed that providing reservation for women is unconstitutional and undemocratic. Rijiju suggested that someone should explain to Gandhi how granting rights to women could be deemed undemocratic. He refrained from commenting on Gandhi's mindset. Following a press briefing by Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rijiju countered the opposition's allegations regarding delimitation, reiterating that Home Minister Amit Shah had already clarified that no state's representation in the Lok Sabha would be diminished. He stated that amendments were necessary due to the country's growing population.