Shashi Tharoor Critiques Government's Approach to Women's Reservation and Delimitation
In a recent address, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor criticized the government's approach to women's reservation, likening the proposed delimitation to political demonetization. He highlighted the urgent need for immediate implementation of women's quota based on current parliamentary seats and called for a balanced discussion on delimitation. Tharoor's remarks emphasize the importance of addressing women's aspirations without bureaucratic entanglements. He urged the government to reconsider its hasty proposals and to engage in serious dialogue regarding the implications of delimitation on parliamentary proceedings.
| Apr 17, 2026, 14:19 IST
Tharoor's Strong Opposition to Delimitation
On Friday, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor expressed that the proposed delimitation could be likened to a political form of demonetization. He criticized the government for linking the expansion of Parliament to the women's reservation bill. During a debate in the Lok Sabha regarding three bills, including amendments to the women's quota law and the establishment of a delimitation commission, Tharoor stated that tying women's reservation to delimitation is akin to holding the aspirations of Indian women hostage to one of the most complex and controversial administrative processes in the nation's history.
Tharoor emphasized that there exists a near-universal political consensus on women's reservation today. Major political parties agree that the era of mere symbolism has ended, and it is time for collective partnership. He pointed out that while the Prime Minister claims to bring justice to women's empowerment, he has entangled it in a web of complications, linking its implementation to the extension of Parliament sessions, the use of 2011 census data, and the delimitation process.
He argued that the time is ripe for the immediate implementation of women's reservation based on the current number of seats in Parliament. Tharoor remarked on the haste with which the delimitation proposal was introduced, comparing it to the rush seen during demonetization, which had detrimental effects on the country. He warned that the delimitation exercise could turn into a 'political demonetization' and urged the government to reconsider.
Tharoor also called for a serious discussion on delimitation, emphasizing the need for a balance between smaller and larger states, and the consideration of states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala that have implemented population control measures. He noted that as the number of parliamentary sessions decreases, managing proceedings with 850 MPs will become increasingly challenging, and he urged the government to refer these bills to a joint parliamentary committee.