New Delhi: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday criticized Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his comments on the amendment in women’s quota, saying women’s reservation is not about political credit. Rather, it is about dignity, representation and the legitimate empowerment of women.
“Indian women deserve results, not repeated promises that never translate into reality,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Karg alleged that the move proposed by the Narendra Modi government to amend the Women’s Reservation Act and increase the number of seats in Parliament would amount to a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, which would have “severe consequences”.
“Women’s reservation is not about political credit; it is about dignity, representation and legitimate empowerment of women. Let us be absolutely clear about the facts. Nari Shakti Vandhan Adhiniyam (2023) did not arise out of a sudden demand from the Congress,” he said.
“For more than 25 years, reservation for women in Parliament has remained a pending promise – repeatedly discussed but never implemented. Parliament has now passed the 106th Constitutional Amendment which provides for one-third reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies, including seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes,” Pradhan said in a post on X.
The Minister said that this is no longer a proposal or intention; It is now part of the Constitution of India. Your concern about implementation has been noted. However, the amendment clearly links its activation to the subsequent border demarcation process after the census.
Karg claimed on Friday that the proposed amendment requires extensive deliberations, stressing that his party will formulate a collective strategy with others in the opposition to move forward “unitedly” on the issue.
The Congress president said that the Modi government is holding Parliament sessions from April 16 to 18 “with the sole aim of securing political gains” and is keen to pass the Constitutional Amendment Bill “as soon as possible.”
Addressing the Congress Working Committee meeting to discuss and formulate the party’s strategy on the government’s move to amend the Women’s Reservation Act, Kharji said the proposed amendments are of a nature that could have a profound impact on the electoral system in the country.
“Your concerns about implementation have been noted. However, the amendment clearly links its activation to the next demarcation process after the census. This is not a matter of political preference but a constitutional requirement aimed at maintaining federal balance in India and ensuring fairness in representation.
“It is the government’s intention to operationalize reservation for women in time for the 2029 general elections. This requires follow-up measures, including amendments to the composition of legislative assemblies. With regard to delimitation and expansion of seats, the government remains conscious of the sensitivities involved,” Pradhan said.
The Minister said that no country that contributed to national progress through responsible population stability will be deprived; The goal is to expand representation so that women can meaningfully enter legislatures without diminishing any state’s voice.
“If Congress truly stands for women’s empowerment, this is the moment to prove it – by engaging constructively in Parliament, suggesting improvements where needed, and helping ensure that this historic reform is implemented without further delay. India’s women deserve implementation, not delay,” he said.
