NEW DELHI,17 April 2026 : On the second day of special Parliament session, Lok Sabha Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the women’s quota bill is meant to “side line the caste census.”
“Everyone knows the kind of discrimination faced by OBCs, Dalits, minority communities, and women in Indian society. This bill is meant to sideline the caste census. It prioritizes Manuvad (political and social ideology based on the Manusmriti) over the Constitution,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi slammed the Centre over the women’s quota bill in the Lok Sabha, saying it is “not a women’s bill” and that it has “nothing to do with women’s empowerment”.
“The Women’s Reservation Bill was passed in 2023. This is an attempt to change India’s electoral map under the guise of women’s rights. Bring back the old bill, we’ll support it,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi, as he began his address on the women’s quota bill in Lok Sabha, shared a light-hearted moment. “Both me and PM Modi don’t have a wife issue,” he joked.
Rajya Sabha has been adjourned for the day. The proceedings will begin on Saturday at 11 am.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of the voting on the women’s quota bill, appealed to the MPs to “reflect upon their conscience” and remember the women in their families.
“The legislation to ensure women’s reservation in legislative bodies is a significant opportunity to do justice to women of our nation. Please do not deprive our Nari Shakti of new opportunities,” he said.
The PM added, “If this amendment is passed unanimously, it will further empower the women of our country and strengthen our democracy. Let us come together today to create history. Let us ensure that the women of India, who are half of the nation’s population, receive their rightful due.”
Picture credit sansad tv
