Why Now Amid Elections? ‘Sab Dhong Hai’: Arvind Sawant Targets BJP Over Women’s Reservation Bill Timing

The debate on the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha witnessed sharp exchanges as Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Ganpat Sawant criticised the timing and structure of the proposed legislation.

Speaking in the House, Sawant questioned both the intent and the approach of the government, while also raising concerns about broader political and social issues.

Why Now? Couldn't Wait Till Monsoon Session!

Arvind Sawant began by questioning why a special session of Parliament was called at a time when elections are underway in several states.

He said, "Aap bhul gaye ki aapne vishesh session bulaya hai... jab desh ke 5 rajyon mein election ho raha hai. Special session kyu bulaya?" (You seem to have forgotten that you called a special session... at a time when elections are happening in five states. Why call a special session now?)

He argued that the bill could have been introduced during the regular Monsoon Session, asking whether there was any urgency that justified the current timing as elections in 5 stares are on.

Linking Reservation with Delimitation

A key concern raised by Sawant was the linkage between the Women's Reservation Bill and the delimitation process.

He stated that the opposition is not against reservation itself, but against combining it with delimitation.

"Aapne aarakshan ka bill delimitation ke saath joda hai, tab virodh ho raha hai... karo aarakshan ka bill, aaj hi paas kar dete hain, lekin delimitation alag rakho."

(You have linked reservation with delimitation, that is why there is opposition... pass the reservation bill today itself, but keep delimitation separate.)

He called the delimitation aspect "political" and warned that it could have long-term implications.

Concerns About Implementation Timeline

Sawant also questioned the delay in implementation, pointing out that even if the bill is passed now, it may only come into effect by 2029.
He asked, "Samay ki baat karte ho... ye samay abhi kyu? June-July mein nahi kar sakte the?"
(You talk about timing... why now? Could this not have been done in June-July?)

Manipur and 'Double Standards' Allegation

Arvind Sawant also criticised the government over the situation in Manipur, questioning its commitment to women's safety.

He said, "Manipur kaise bhul jate hai ye log? Itna mahilao ke liye man mein aadar hai... aaj bhi Manipur mein atyachar ho rahe hain, hamle ho rahe hain. Manipur aap bhul gaye?"
(How can they forget Manipur? If there is so much respect for women, then why are atrocities and attacks still happening there? Have you forgotten Manipur?)

He further accused the government of inconsistency in its actions and statements, also referring to the President not being invited to key events.

"Humare mahamahim Rashtrapati ji ko is sadan ke udghatan mein nahi bulaya... Prabhu Ram ke charanon mein bhi Murmu ji ko nahi bulaya, aur phir bhi 'Jai Shri Ram'? Yeh dhong hai... hum is dhong ke khilaf khade hain. Aapki kathni aur karni mein farak hai."
(Our Hon'ble President was not invited to the inauguration of this House... she was not invited even at Lord Ram's event, and yet you say 'Jai Shri Ram'? This is hypocrisy... we stand against it. There is a clear gap between what you say and what you do.)

Allegations of Double Standards

Sawant also accused the government of inconsistency between its statements and actions.
He criticised what he described as symbolic gestures, saying,
"Aapki kathni aur karni mein farak hai... dhong ke khilaf hum khade hain."
(There is a difference between what you say and what you do... we stand against this pretence.)

Heated Exchange in the House

During his speech, Arvind Sawant also took aim at certain political figures while questioning the government's stand on women's safety.

He said, "Aap nahi bhulna Kuldeep Sengar kaun hai, kis party ka hai? Brij Bhushan Singh kaun hai? Kya ye mahilaon ka samman karne wale log hain? Kyu bhaiya, balatkari pyare hain kya aapko?"
(Don't forget who Kuldeep Sengar is and which party he belongs to. Who is Brij Bhushan Singh? Are these people who respect women? Tell me, do you support such accused individuals?)

His remarks led to strong reactions from the treasury benches.

Responding sharply, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey stood up and said,
"Yadi aap Kuldeep Sengar aur Brij Bhushan ki baat karenge, to Aditya Thackeray ki bhi baat hogi, kyunki usne bhi heroin par zeher maar diya."
(If you bring up Kuldeep Sengar and Brij Bhushan, then Aditya Thackeray will also be discussed, as he too has been accused in a serious matter.)

The exchange triggered loud protests and interruptions in the House, highlighting the tense political atmosphere during the debate.

Concerns Over Representation and Federal Balance

Sawant raised concerns about how delimitation based on population could affect southern states.

He warned that states with lower population growth but higher development may lose representation, potentially leading to regional imbalance.
"Agar jansankhya ke aadhaar par banta gaya to South ke rajyon ki seats kam ho jayengi... desh ko vibhajan ki aur le ja rahe hain."
(If seats are allocated purely based on population, southern states may lose representation... this could push the country towards division.)

Demand for Clarity on OBC Reservation

Concerns Over Census, OBC Quota and Southern Representation

Arvind Sawant also questioned the government's earlier stance on the census and reservation framework, raising concerns about representation and fairness.

He said, "2023 mein kya bola tha in logon ne? Ki pehle hum janganna karenge, 2026 tak hogi... aur us janganna ke aadhar par aarakshan denge. Lekin aapne aarakshan mein OBC ka kahin zikr hi nahi kiya."
(What did they say in 2023? That a census would be conducted by 2026 and reservation would be based on it. But there is no mention of OBCs in this reservation.)

He further pointed out the absence of any clarity on increasing the total number of seats.

"50% increase ka bhi koi zikr nahi hai... isi mein bada game hai."
(There is no mention of a 50% increase in seats... this is where the bigger issue lies.)

Sawant warned that if seat allocation is done purely on the basis of population without increasing the total seats, southern states could lose representation.

"Agar 50% increase nahi hua, to Tamil Nadu aur South ke rajyon ki seats kam ho jayengi... jinki jansankhya kam hai, unka nuksaan hoga."
(If seats are not increased, states like Tamil Nadu and others in the South, where population growth is lower, will lose representation.)

He cautioned that such a move could create regional imbalance and tensions.

"Desh ko hum vibhajan ki aur le ja rahe hain, main savdhaan kar raha hoon."
(We are pushing the country towards division, I am warning about it.)

Highlighting the development gap, he added that southern states have progressed in education and population control.

"Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, Andhra-ye sab aage badhe, sikshit hue, isliye jansankhya kam hai... aur jahan jansankhya zyada hai, wahan seats badh jayengi, to desh mein asantulan paida hoga."
(States like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, and Andhra have progressed and controlled population, while others with higher population will gain more seats, creating imbalance.)