Congress Seeks Apology From Modi Over Women’s Quota
The Congress has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to women across India, accusing his government of backtracking on the implementation timeline of the women’s reservation law. The demand comes amid a renewed political debate over when the quota for women in Parliament and State Assemblies will actually come into effect.
Congress Demands Apology Over Women’s Quota Delay
The Congress said Modi “owes an apology” to women for not agreeing to its earlier demand to implement the women’s reservation law from the 2024 elections. The party argued that when the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed unanimously in 2023, it had pushed for immediate implementation, which the government did not accept.
Row Over Implementation Linked To Delimitation
The current framework links the implementation of women’s reservation to the completion of the Census and a subsequent delimitation exercise. This means the quota is likely to come into force only after these processes are completed, delaying its rollout beyond the next general election. Congress leaders have criticised this approach, calling it a “U-turn” and questioning why the government did not act earlier.
Political Debate Intensifies Ahead Of Elections
The issue has now become part of the broader political contest ahead of upcoming elections, with the Congress alleging that the delay is being used as a political strategy. The party has also questioned the government’s intent, saying the timeline shift undermines the promise made to women voters when the law was passed.
The controversy highlights a wider debate over the pace of electoral reforms and the implementation of policies aimed at increasing women’s representation in politics.
