Missed Opportunity: Women's Political Empowerment Thwarted in India

Nagaland BJP leaders have criticized the opposition for thwarting a major opportunity for women's political empowerment, accusing them of blocking the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill. The Bill aimed to expand representation by linking women's reservation to a delimitation of constituencies in the Lok Sabha.

The proposed legislation sought to boost Lok Sabha seats to 816 from the existing 543 and incorporate 33 percent women's reservation in state and UT assemblies, contingent on a 2011 Census-based delimitation. This move was intended to expedite the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam ahead of the 2029 elections.

Although opposition parties, including Congress and DMK, supported the women's reservation bill passed in 2023, they chose not to back the amendment, alleging ulterior motives by the BJP. BJP leaders argue this resistance blocks vital structural reforms intended to boost women's representation and warn opposition parties of potential political repercussions.