Women reservation bill defeated in Lok Sabha; BJP women MPs protest in Parliament complex

Women MPs of the Bharatiya Janata Party protested in the Parliament House complex after a constitutional amendment bill on women’s reservation and proposed Lok Sabha strength changes was defeated in the Lok Sabha. Ministers Shobha Karandlaje and Raksha Khadse said the opposition blocked women’s representation, naming Rahul Gandhi and the Congress among those responsible.

Women MPs from the BJP protested inside the Parliament House complex on Friday. The protest followed the defeat of a Constitution Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha. The Bill proposed women’s reservation in legislatures from 2029. It also proposed raising the strength of the Lok Sabha. BJP MPs blamed Congress and its allies for blocking the measure.

Holding placards and raising slogans of India will not tolerate this insult to women, the MPs accused the opposition of stopping the Bill. They said the opposition, led by Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, acted deliberately. The BJP MPs argued the move would have improved women’s representation. They also said the defeat hurt women seeking a larger role in politics.

Women reservation Bill vote in Lok Sabha

The Constitution Amendment Bill failed in the Lower House on Friday. A total of 298 members voted for the Bill. Another 230 MPs voted against it. Overall, 528 members took part in the vote. The Bill needed 352 votes to meet the two-thirds majority requirement.

The Bill linked women’s reservation to steps planned ahead of the 2029 parliamentary polls. It proposed a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. It also planned to raise Lok Sabha seats to a maximum of 850. The current strength is 543. State and Union Territory assemblies were also to expand for 33 per cent reservation.

BJP women MPs protest over women reservation Bill

Union minister Shobha Karandlaje said the defeat disrespected women waiting for political power. "Today, 65 crore women were waiting. We have not been defeated, but the cause of womens representation has been defeated in Parliament.\" Karandlaje rejected what Karandlaje called the opposition mindset. \"We will not accept this mindset. The INDI alliance has insulted women -- Rahul Gandhi and the Congress are responsible for this,\" Karandlaje said.

Union minister Raksha Khadse said the opposition stopped what Khadse called a key decision. \"The opposition did not allow a historic decision to be taken today. Women were about to receive their rightful entitlements. This shows their intent; they are opposed to women. They talk about womens dignity and respect, but when it comes to action, they step back,\" Khadse said.

Opposition response disputed over women reservation Bill

Khadse said the government explained the Bill’s timing and structure during discussions. \"The Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had placed all issues with clarity and responded to the oppositions questions. The most important aspect was that by providing reservation to women by 2029, it would have created a pathway for our sisters and for women who wish to participate in politics in an empowered manner. However, the opposition blocked it,\" Khadse added.

Union minister and BJP MP Annpurna Devi said the INDI alliance aimed to stall the Nari Shakti Bill. \"The intention of the alliance was to ensure that the Nari Shakti Bill does not get passed. It is clear they do not want women to enter legislative assemblies. But the women of India will no longer tolerate this and will give a strong response to the Congress and the INDI alliance,\" Devi said.

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut called the outcome painful and blamed the opposition for discouraging women. \"It is a very shameful situation. I dont think anything more painful than this has happened before. The Congress party and the opposition have crossed every limit of injustice and, I would say, even hatred,\" Ranaut said.

Ranaut said the decision damaged the confidence of many women. \"For me, and for all women who had so many dreams attached to this, it feels like a personal loss. But as the prime minister has said, our government will bring this bill. I have full faith in him,\" Ranaut said. BJP leaders said they would keep raising the issue after the defeat in the Lok Sabha.

With inputs from PTI