Rahul Gandhi raises questions on the political impact of delimitation and caste census, arguing the ongoing debate could reshape representation and electoral balance in Parliament.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday mounted a strong critique of the government’s approach to the women’s reservation bill and delimitation, arguing in Parliament that the exercise is less about empowerment and more about altering the country’s electoral landscape.
The remarks come as Parliament debates key proposals linked to women’s reservation and a future delimitation exercise, both of which could significantly reshape representation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The discussion has triggered sharp political exchanges over whether the reforms aim at inclusion or recalibration of power.
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Opening his intervention, Gandhi questioned the very premise of the legislation.
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“The first truth is that this is not a women’s bill. This has nothing to do with the empowerment of women. This is an attempt to change the electoral map of India.”
He went a step further, calling the move “a shameful act” while reiterating that the intent behind the exercise was political rather than social reform.
Gandhi directly accused the ruling party of attempting to redraw political boundaries out of insecurity.
“What you (BJP) are doing, because you are scared of what is happening in the politics of the country, you are scared of the erosion of your strength, and you are trying to rejig the Indian political map. You did it in Assam, J&K, and now imagining you can do it in India. You need a constitutional amendment to do that.”
The Congress leader also brought the caste census debate into the discussion, questioning whether its findings would translate into political representation.
“Manuvad over Samvidhaan…Amit Shah ji says that the caste census has begun. He repeated twice, trying to be clever, saying that houses don’t have caste. The point is whether or not the caste census is going to be used in representation in Parliament & State Assemblies. And now, what you are trying to do is that caste census has nothing to do with representation for the next 15 years…”
Gandhi framed the issue as one of social justice, particularly for marginalised communities.
“It is a historical fact that how Indian society treated Dalits and OBCs and their women…What is being attempted here is a bypass of the caste census. Here, they are trying to avoid giving power and representation to my OBC brothers and sisters and taking power from them.”
In between his criticism, Gandhi struck a lighter note during the debate.
“Prime Minister and myself don’t have that wife issue…”
Even as he criticised the bill, Gandhi underlined the role of women in shaping society.
“Women are a driving force in our national imagination. All of us have been influenced, taught, learnt a lot from women in their lives…”
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