Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, addressing the special session of the Assembly on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam on Tuesday, criticised the opposition over delays in the women’s reservation measure, describing April 16, 17, and 18 as a “sad chapter” in the history of Indian democracy.
She said that during those days, women across the country were watching Parliament with hope that their 78-year-long wait for representation would finally end. However, the discussions held during that period led only to disappointment.
Gupta said the Centre had enacted the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 (Women’s Reservation Bill) to ensure 33 per cent reservation for women in state assemblies and the Lok Sabha, along with introducing the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill to facilitate its implementation at the earliest.
The Chief Minister said women’s reservation is necessary because women face greater social barriers and challenges compared to men, and in such a scenario, equal rights alone are not sufficient—special provisions are required to ensure equal opportunities.
She noted that while women are elected in large numbers to panchayats and local bodies, their representation in state assemblies and Parliament remains significantly low.
Gupta said that although the Constitution granted women equal rights and the ability to contest elections, this alone had not ensured their advancement, and they continued to be excluded from meaningful political opportunities.
She pointed out that the Reservation Bill had been introduced in Parliament seven times over 27 years but was blocked on each occasion. She added that several political parties created obstacles and confined women to limited roles, whereas the BJP had provided them opportunities to progress.
According to Gupta, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 is a historic step towards granting 33 per cent reservation to women. Recognising that procedural requirements such as delimitation could delay its implementation, the government proposed necessary amendments to expedite the process.
However, she said opposition parties raised objections and used technical grounds to stall the Bill, calling it a clear attempt to deny women their rights.
The Chief Minister questioned why the opposition objected to a proposal that accounted for all stakeholders, adding that such parties ignored women’s interests despite relying on their votes to gain power.
“No more appeals—this will now be a battle, a decisive struggle,” she said, adding that women have long witnessed tokenism and political manoeuvring without real justice.
Gupta further stated that women across the country are now capable of fighting their own battles and are moving forward with unity.
“A single voice is emerging from all directions that the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam must be implemented—and it will be implemented,” she added.