New Delhi, 16 April (H.S.):
The government tabled three pivotal bills linked to women's reservation in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, the opening day of Parliament's extended budget session's three-day special sitting. Debate commenced post-formalities, with voting slated for Friday at 4 p.m.; Home Minister Amit Shah will respond.
Bills Introduced Amid Procedural Votes
At 11 a.m., Minister of Law and Justice (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal proposed the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill-2026 and Delimitation Bill-2026. Shah moved the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill-2026. The motions passed 251-185, meeting the simple majority threshold for constitutional amendments.
The Speaker allocated 12 hours for combined discussion, extendable per opposition demands. Rajya Sabha follows April 18 with 10 hours allotted.
Partisan Clashes Erupt
Congress MP K.C. Venugopal opposed all three; Shah retorted he could raise only technical objections, not merits, vowing firm rebuttals in debate.
Samajwadi Party's Dharmendra Yadav affirmed opposition to the package but backed women's quota unwaveringly as their staunchest proponents.
The bills aim to secure 33% women's reservation in Lok Sabha and state assemblies post-delimitation.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
