Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has leveled a serious accusation against opposition parties, alleging they orchestrated a conspiracy to obstruct the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill. Speaking at a press conference in Jammu, Puri stated that these parties, particularly the Congress, have “played with fire” and will face significant repercussions for their actions. He asserted that despite last-minute efforts by the government to incorporate opposition concerns, their engagement was not constructive, but rather a deliberate attempt to stall a historic reform aimed at ensuring equitable representation for women in legislatures.
Information reaching TahirRihat.com suggests that Puri, addressing the media alongside Rajya Sabha MP and former National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma, emphasized that the bill transcends mere political maneuvering, representing a crucial social cause. He warned that the opposition’s stance would inevitably lead to public backlash. Puri recounted that Home Minister Amit Shah had made a direct appeal in Parliament, requesting an hour to consider suggestions, an offer that was reportedly rejected by the opposition. This, according to Puri, demonstrated a clear lack of interest in genuine dialogue and a calculated move to derail the legislative process.
The Union Minister further elaborated that this alleged conspiracy was spearheaded by the Congress and its allied parties, including the DMK, TMC, and Samajwadi Party. He posited that their objective was to prevent the bill’s implementation before the 2029 general elections. However, Puri expressed confidence that the prevailing national sentiment, as indicated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s recent address, favors the bill’s enactment sooner rather than later. He characterized the Women’s Reservation Bill as a transformative step in India‘s democratic evolution, shifting the national focus from women-centric welfare to women-led development.
Puri reminded attendees that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had committed to 33 percent reservation for women in legislative bodies as far back as 2014, a promise clearly outlined in its election manifesto. He highlighted the government’s consistent track record in promoting women’s empowerment through various schemes, citing the construction of approximately 11 crore toilets and the provision of nearly three crore houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, with a significant portion of these homes registered under women’s ownership. Plans are also in motion to construct an additional four crore houses.
Addressing the contentious issue of delimitation, Puri clarified that it is an indispensable prerequisite for the effective implementation of the reservation. He refuted claims by opposition parties that southern states would be disproportionately disadvantaged, presenting data shared in Parliament that indicated proportional seat increases across states such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. The minister accused the opposition of disseminating misinformation and insisted that the proposed framework does not create a north-south divide. He reiterated the government’s firm resolve to push for the bill’s implementation before the 2029 elections, aligning with what he described as the national mood. Puri warned that if opposition parties persist in blocking the bill, the government would take the matter directly to the people.
Describing the opposition’s actions as not merely political obstruction but a betrayal of women’s aspirations nationwide, Puri expressed dismay at the scenes witnessed in Parliament, where, he claimed, some members were seen celebrating the defeat of a bill designed to empower women. Rekha Sharma, echoing Puri’s sentiments, condemned the bill’s defeat as “shameless” and likened it to the “foeticide of women’s rights.” Sharma pointed to the Congress party’s historical role in consistently impeding such legislation over the past three decades, citing shifting demands such as “reservation within reservation” and opposition to delimitation as evidence of their intent never being to pass the bill.
Sharma underscored the glacial pace of women’s representation in Parliament, which has only seen a marginal increase from around three percent to approximately 14 percent over several decades. She argued that without legislative intervention, the meaningful participation of women in policy-making would remain severely constrained. Turning to the situation in Manipur, Sharma characterized the violence in the state as having an “ethnic nature” with deep historical roots, and stated that the central government had engaged with all stakeholders to restore stability.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
