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‘For the Opposition winning election is first, for us nation is first, the people are first’: Amit Shah hits out at Congress in LS

Statesman News Service

Union Home Minister Amit Shah today responded to the debate on the Women’s Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill in the Lok Sabha. He spoke in the House ahead of voting on the Women’s Quota Bill. While addressing the Lok Sabha, Amit Shah said, “No one has objected to the women’s reservation. But, if we see closely, all members of the INDI alliance have opposed it by using ‘ifs and buts’.”

 

The Union Home Minister launched a strong attack on the Opposition, accusing them of prioritising electoral gains over national interest. Shah said that while the Opposition remains focused on winning elections, his government places the nation and its people above everything else. “For them, winning elections is supreme. For us, the nation is supreme. The people of the nation are supreme,” he asserted. He further stressed that ensuring representation and participation of citizens remains central to the government’s approach, underlining that public interest outweighs political considerations.

Ahead of the crucial vote on the Women’s Reservation Bill, Shah thanked the Speaker for the opportunity to speak and acknowledged their role in upholding the functioning of the House. He said, “I would like to thank you, Hon’ble Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to present the government’s side. I also express my gratitude to you as the guardian of this House, under whose guidance proceedings are conducted in accordance with its rules and the Constitution,” he said.

The Home Minister highlighted the scale of participation in the Lok Sabha debate on the Constitution Amendment Bill, noting that nearly 133 members took part in the discussion, including 56 women. He called the level of engagement, particularly the significant representation of women speakers, a record in itself and reflective of the importance of the legislation. He said, “Nearly 133 Members spoke in the House on this important Constitution Amendment Bill, out of which 56 Members were women, which will prove to be a record in itself…”

Shah also told the Lok Sabha that some members have created confusion saying that reservation would be given to Muslim women. He clarified that the Constitution does not allow reservations based on religion, and such claims are incorrect.

While replying on the Women’s Quota Bill, Shah told the Lok Sabha that if the opposition’s concern is about increasing reservation to 50 per cent, the government is open to making changes. He said the House could pause for an hour, and he would bring an official amendment to the bill, but asked the opposition to first assure their support for passing it.

Amit Shah added that women across the country are closely watching who is creating obstacles in the path of the proposed legislation, as he took a swipe at the Opposition during the debate.

‘Delimitation will lead to rationalisation of voters in every constituency’

Amit Shah told the Lok Sabha that the government is committed to ensuring equal value for every vote as part of the proposed delimitation exercise. Speaking in the House, Shah sought support for the process, stating, “I assure them that if they support us for delimitation, then the value of each vote will have equal value across constituencies.” He added that those opposing delimitation are actually opposing an increase in SC/ST seats.

The Union Minister also raised concerns in the Lok Sabha over wide disparities in the number of voters across parliamentary constituencies, arguing that the current system places an uneven burden on elected representatives. Pointing out the imbalance, Shah said some constituencies have as many as 49 lakh voters, while others have around 60,000. He added that several seats have remained unchanged since the 1970s, when Indira Gandhi’s government was in power, leading to a sharp rise in population in certain areas. Citing examples, Shah said Malkajgiri in Telangana has around 48 lakh voters, while Bengaluru North and Bengaluru South each have about 29 lakh voters, and Ghaziabad has nearly 28 lakh voters. “In such large constituencies, it becomes extremely difficult for an MP to effectively engage with voters,” he said, making a case for revisiting constituency boundaries.

He said, “Many members have expressed various concerns. They asked why this Bill has been brought now. I would like to clarify that the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam mentions that women’s reservation will be ensured after the delimitation process, which will take place following the Census after 2026. Now, some members questioned why the reference to the post-2026 Census was included while bringing the Bill. Let me clarify, we did not create this situation. In 1971, when Indira Gandhi’s government was in power, the number of seats was frozen, and because of that freeze, we had to make this provision. It is only when we take up the frozen number of seats that the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act becomes possible… There are as many as 127 constituencies with more than 20 lakh voters.”

‘Caste data to be included in next census’

The Union Home Minister told the Lok Sabha that the upcoming population Census will include a caste column, making it clear that caste data will be collected. He said the Census planned for 2021 could not be conducted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted normal processes. He added that even after the pandemic, the country needed time to recover before restarting such a large exercise.

Shah said that when preparations for the Census resumed, several political parties and groups demanded a caste-based count. Following discussions with political parties, social groups, and state governments, the Centre decided to include caste in the Census. He said there should be no confusion about this decision, noting that the Census already collects details like education, date of birth, and religion. “Now caste will also be included,” he said, adding that the Cabinet has approved the move.

During his address, Amit Shah also strongly pushed back against narratives suggesting a divide between northern and southern states, asserting in the Lok Sabha that all regions enjoy equal rights in Parliament. Emphasising constitutional equality, Shah said even a small Union Territory like Lakshadweep has the same standing in the House as larger states such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Bihar. He cautioned against attempts to frame debates along regional lines, stating that such narratives risk undermining national unity.

Shah said members do not act based on their state identities while speaking or making decisions in Parliament. He added that elected representatives take their constitutional oath with sincerity and should uphold that spirit, warning that efforts to promote a North-South divide would not be allowed to succeed.

 

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