“Black Day” Or “Historic Win”? Leaders Divided After Women’s Bill Defeat In Lok Sabha - Who Said What

Published: Friday, April 17, 2026, 22:34 [IST]

The defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha has triggered a sharp political battle, with leaders from both the government and the opposition making strong and contrasting statements.

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The Lok Sabha defeated the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill for 33% women's reservation. Union Minister Amit Shah blamed opposition parties for insulting women, while leaders like M.K. Stalin and Rahul Gandhi called it a democratic victory, citing concerns over Census and delimitation implementation timing.

While the government called it a setback for women's rights, opposition leaders described it as a victory for democracy and federalism.

Amit Shah Slams Opposition, Calls It 'Insult to Women'

Union Home Minister Amit Shah strongly criticised opposition parties including Congress, TMC, DMK, and Samajwadi Party for blocking the bill.

In a post on X, he said:

"Today, a very strange scene unfolded in the Lok Sabha.

The Congress, TMC, DMK, and Samajwadi Party did not allow the passage of the essential Constitution Amendment Bill for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Rejecting the bill that would grant 33% reservation to women, celebrating it, and raising victory cries over it is truly reprehensible and beyond imagination.

Now, the women of the country will not get the 33% reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, which was their right. The Congress and its allies have done this not for the first time, but repeatedly. Their mindset is neither in the interest of women nor of the country.

I want to tell them that this insult to Nari Shakti will not stop here; it will travel far and wide. The opposition will have to face the 'wrath of women' not only in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, but at every level, in every election, and at every place."

He further added:

"How can anyone celebrate victory after deceiving half the country's population-700 million women-and losing their trust?

This celebration by the opposition is an insult to every woman who has been waiting for her rights for decades. How many times will the Congress and its allies betray women?
Many a time, the joy of apparent victory born out of arrogance is, in reality, a hidden great defeat, which some people fail to understand."

MK Stalin Questions Government's Intent

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin criticised the government and said the issue was not about opposing women's reservation but about how it was being implemented.

He wrote:

"On the Women's Reservation Bill: read the fine print.
The BJP called for a Special Session in the middle of state elections, over two and a half years after the Women's Reservation Bill was passed in 2023, only to confirm that it cannot be implemented without a Census and delimitation.

Let us be very clear:

We want the Women's Reservation Bill to be implemented NOW. Tamil Nadu was among the earliest to implement reservation for women in local bodies.

Our concern is with delimitation, which requires careful thought to ensure it is fair, especially for southern states. We asked for consultation, clarity, and consensus. At the very least, the Bill could have been delinked and implemented.

The NDA could have delinked it. They chose not to.

They could have used this time to consult states on delimitation. They chose not to.
They could have addressed these concerns in the Bill. They chose not to.
This is not justice. This is not intent. This is optics.

Women in Tamil Nadu see through this.

Women across India are not a vote bank. They are watching."

He added:

"TN fought. TN won.
#Delimitation is about representation, about who gets a voice in India's democracy. It must strengthen the Union, not weaken its balance.

Guided by Periyar, inspired by Anna, and strengthened by Kalaignar, Tamil Nadu has always stood for justice, dignity, and federalism.

The south stood united and made its voice heard. Democracy prevailed.
We never opposed delimitation. We asked for fairness, for a process that is consulted, thought through, and agreed upon. Not one pushed through for political gain.

This is our resolve: every time Tamil Nadu's rights are challenged, every time its identity or culture is questioned, and every time the federal spirit of India is tested, Tamil Nadu will rise united and unwavering.

My sincere thanks to all opposition parties who stood united."

Rahul Gandhi Calls It 'Attack on Constitution'

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said:

"The amendment bill has fallen.
They used an unconstitutional trick in the name of women to break the Constitution.
India has seen it.
INDIA has stopped it.
Hail the Constitution."
Other Opposition Leaders React

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said:

"Modi-Shah tried to carry out Delimitation by using half the country's population as a shield and made a nefarious attempt to harm this country's democracy, Constitution, and Federalism.

Their cunning ploy was sniffed out by a united opposition-INDIA-and the Constitution Amendment Bill was defeated. We express heartfelt thanks to all the leaders of the opposition parties.

Modi-Shah had set out to destroy India's democracy just to polish their politics, but this conspiracy of theirs has now fallen flat on its face.

We once again demand from the Modi government that, in accordance with the "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam" passed in 2023, 33% reservation for women be implemented starting from the 2029 elections. This will be the real test of the Prime Minister's commitment to 'Nari Shakti'."

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said:

"Women's reservation in Parliament and state assemblies is the right of the women of this country, and no one can stop them from receiving it. One day, it will surely transform into reality.

However, in a malicious move, by linking it to the 2011 census and the subsequent delimitation based on it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hollow attempt to pose as the messiah of women has failed today.

Today, the opposition of the country has demonstrated its resolve and unity, thereby safeguarding the democracy of India and its integrity. Today's day will be considered historic in India's politics. From today, the effort to suppress the voice of this country ends."

Reactions From Other Leaders

Akhilesh Yadav said:

"The defeat of the 'so-called Women's Reservation Bill'... is a defeat for the BJP... This is a victory for the awakened public consciousness of the country."