Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday mounted a strong defence of the Delimitation Bill, 2026, the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha, while sharply criticising the opposition over its stance on women’s reservation and delimitation.
Replying to an extensive debate in which 130 members, including 56 women MPs, participated, HM Shah alleged that the opposition’s resistance was not about implementation but about opposing women’s reservation itself. He asserted that the government is committed to upholding the democratic principle of “one person, one vote, one value.”
HM Shah said the Constitution mandates periodic delimitation to ensure fair representation, including increased seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. “Those opposing delimitation are, in effect, opposing the increase in seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes,” he said, adding that the process is essential to maintaining a balanced and inclusive democratic framework.
Highlighting the historical context, HM Shah said, “In 1976, during the Emergency, the then Prime Minister halted delimitation in order to retain power, and even today, it is the principal opposition party that is working to stall delimitation.” He noted that the number of Lok Sabha seats has remained frozen since 1971, resulting in severe disparities, with 127 constituencies now having over 20 lakh voters each, violating the principle of equal representation.
The Home Minister clarified that the delimitation exercise, to be conducted after the post-2026 Census, would not harm any state. Rejecting concerns raised by southern states, he said their share in the Lok Sabha would remain broadly unchanged. “Southern states have as much right over this House as the northern states,” he asserted, warning against attempts to create a North-South divide.
HM Shah also addressed concerns over the delay in conducting the Census, attributing it to the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that the upcoming Census will include caste enumeration, a demand raised by several political parties.
On women’s reservation, HM Shah said the Nari Shakti Vandan Act ensures that 33 percent reservation for women will be implemented through the delimitation process. He accused the opposition of historically obstructing such efforts. “The Narendra Modi government brought forward the Women’s Reservation Bill in letter and spirit after it had been rejected for three decades, but the opposition did not allow it to be passed,” he said.
Launching a broader political attack, HM Shah said, “The principal opposition party has always opposed women’s rights – be it the Shah Bano case, the abolition of triple talaq, or women’s reservation in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.”
He further warned of political consequences, stating, “The opposition will have to face the ‘anger of women’ not just in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, but at every level, in every election, and at every place.”
The Home Minister emphasised that reservation cannot be granted on the basis of religion, rejecting demands for Muslim reservation. “The Constitution does not permit reservation on the basis of religion… reservation is granted by birth and cannot be acquired in any other way,” he said.
Tracing the history of women’s reservation efforts, HM Shah said successive attempts since the 1990s failed due to lack of political consensus. He credited the current government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for passing the legislation in 2023, calling it a landmark step.
HM Shah also highlighted the growing participation of women in politics, noting that their representation in the Lok Sabha has steadily increased over the years, with 75 women currently serving in the 18th Lok Sabha.
Taking a swipe at the opposition’s political approach, HM Shah said, “For the opposition, winning elections is paramount, but for the government, the nation and its people come first.” He added that accountability, transparency, and equal opportunity are essential for implementing the Constitution effectively.
In a sharp remark during his speech, HM Shah said, “Their leader had urged all members to vote according to their conscience. However, here even the ‘soul’ seems absent—so where would the ‘inner voice’ come from?”
Reiterating the government’s commitment, HM Shah concluded, “No matter what opposition we may face, we will continue to strive to empower women and ensure their representation in legislative institutions.”
