Women's Quota Bill Highlights: BJP MPs Bansuri Swaraj, Raksha Khadse detained by Delhi Police

"This is not a black day for the NDA, it is a black day for democracy and for half the population of India," said Union Minister and Apna Dal leader Anupriya Patel, reacting to Priyanka Gandhi's statement that the bill's failure was a "black day" for the NDA.

BJP women workers burn an effigy of Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi during their protest march to his residence, a day after the women's quota bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha.

(ANI)

Delhi Police detain BJP MPs Raksha Khadse and Bansuri Swaraj during their protest march to the residence of Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, a day after the women's reservation bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha.

(ANI)

Delhi BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj hit out at the Congress-led Opposition, saying that they betrayed the women of India by not supporting the Women's Reservation bill in the Lok Sabha.

"Yesterday, the entire nation clearly witnessed the sheer disdain that Congress and its allies harbour toward the empowerment of women. By opposing the constitutional amendment necessary for the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam,’ they have once again sought to trample upon the dreams, rights, and dignity of half the country's population," posted the Union Education Minister on X.

Delhi BJP workers protest against Congress and India alliance outside Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's residence.

"In the upcoming elections, women will defeat them (Opposition). Only then will they (Congress) realise their mistake," said BJP MP Yogender Chandolia.

(ANI)

BJP workers held a protest against the Opposition after the Women's Quota bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha.

(ANI)

BJP MP Rahul Sinha said the failure of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha shows that the Congress and Trinamool Congress are against women’s advancement. He alleged that by opposing the Women’s Bill, Rahul Gandhi insulted women, and claimed the BJP is committed to empowering women and strengthening their role in society.

RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha criticised the government after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha, pointing to the notification issued on April 16 and alleging that the delimitation formula was prepared without wider consultation. He urged the government to introduce the bill afresh.

BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan condemned the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister over the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failing to pass in the Lok Sabha, accusing him of “crushing the voice of women” and halting their empowerment. She questioned how a chief minister could celebrate the bill’s defeat and said women in Tamil Nadu would respond through their votes in the 2026 elections.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said women deserve representation across institutions, calling them the “better half” of society. Referring to a post-adjournment interaction with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, he said the Opposition cannot be labelled anti-women, while reiterating opposition to linking women’s reservation with delimitation, which he described as potentially harmful for democracy.

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Union Home Minister had clarified that seat distribution after the next census, expected to begin in 2026, could affect representation, including in southern states. He rejected the Congress demand to implement women’s reservation within the existing 543 seats, arguing it would reduce seats in the South, and claimed people there have been misled by such arguments.

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said he usually refrains from commenting on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra but criticised her remarks, questioning her claim that women were being “used” in the ongoing political debate.

BJP leader Smriti Irani said the Congress took a swipe at the BJP, alleging someone was trying to project themselves as a “messiah.” She also targeted the party over triple talaq, calling it a “curse” during the period when Congress was in power.

BJP leader Smriti Irani accused the Congress of celebrating how it had taken away opportunities from women, alleging that the party rejoiced after the bill’s defeat.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju claimed that several Congress MPs approached him saying the government’s intention on women’s reservation was good, but alleged that Rahul Gandhi did not want the bill to pass.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government is saddened that amendments to the women’s reservation bill could not be passed, but asserted that the defeat is not a failure of the government. He termed it a “big attack on the country” by Congress and its allies, calling it a “black spot” on the party and questioning how they could celebrate the bill’s defeat, accusing them of making excuses.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said projecting oneself as a “messiah of women” is not easy, questioning the government’s record on women’s issues. She referred to incidents in Unnao, Hathras and Manipur, asking who stood up for women in those cases.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged that the push around the women’s reservation bill was part of a larger “conspiracy” to retain power. She claimed the strategy was to either gain politically if the bill passed or project others as anti-women if it failed, adding that becoming a true saviour of women is not easy.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the Opposition is ready to support implementation of women’s reservations in the current scenario and on existing seats. She urged the government to bring the women’s bill separately again, assuring full support from the Opposition.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said people are suffering due to inflation and a gas price burden, adding that the impact is especially severe on women, whether rich or poor. Speaking during protests at the residence of Rahul Gandhi, she alleged that the government has failed to address these issues.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra termed the development a “black day” for the NDA, saying the ruling alliance faced a setback after the women’s reservation bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the issue was not truly about women’s reservation, asserting that projecting oneself as a messiah of women is not easy. Referring to incidents like Unnao, Hathras, and Manipur, she questioned the government’s record on women’s issues. She added that she was “very happy” to see the Opposition unite on the matter.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the defeat of the women’s reservation bill was a “victory of democracy,” speaking at a press conference after the development.

Speaker Om Birla met party leaders, including those from the Opposition, for the customary tea after the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj hit out at the Opposition after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha, calling it a “dark day” and accusing them of betraying women. She said the House had earlier unanimously passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Act and alleged that Opposition parties later withdrew support despite agreeing to delimitation conditions in 2023. Swaraj added that the party will take the issue to the public, accusing the Opposition of putting political interests above women’s representation.

The Bharatiya Janata Party accused the Congress of treating the Women’s Reservation Bill as a “political pawn” for 27 years, alleging delay, disruption, and lack of political will despite being in power for long periods. In a post, the party claimed that by opposing the delimitation framework linked to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, Congress is effectively delaying implementation of women’s reservation ahead of the 2029 elections, and described it as part of a long-standing pattern of obstruction.

Reacting to the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failing to pass in the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the Opposition has “protected the Constitution” by defeating what she termed a conspiracy linked to delimitation. She reiterated that while the Opposition supports women’s reservation, it will not back the bill in its current form and urged the government to bring back the earlier version of the law.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju hit out at the Congress and Opposition after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha, saying they will have to face the anger of women across the country. Calling it a “black day,” he said the historic bill aimed to secure representation for women in Parliament and state assemblies and questioned the Opposition’s reasons for opposing it.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju slammed the Congress and Opposition after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha, saying they will face the anger of women across the country. Calling it a “black day,” he said the bill aimed to ensure representation for women in Parliament and state assemblies and questioned the reasons behind opposing such a measure.

Reacting to the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failing to pass in the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the Centre should immediately bring back the 2023 Women’s Reservation Bill. She urged the government to convene Parliament on Monday and pass the earlier law, asserting that the Opposition would support it and challenging the ruling side to show who truly stands for women’s rights.

The DMK has moved a private member’s bill seeking immediate implementation of women’s reservation without linking it to delimitation or the census, signalling its opposition to conditional rollout of the quota.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy met Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and credited her for building Opposition unity against what he termed the “delimitation agenda.”

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will address a special party briefing at 12 noon today at 24 Akbar Road in New Delhi.

The Lok Sabha has been adjourned sine die, bringing proceedings of the special session to a close.

Opposition parties in the INDIA alliance are set to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding implementation of the 2023 Women’s Reservation law. The alliance will also hold press conferences across the country to reiterate support for women’s quota, while alleging that the government is attempting to change the political map of the country under its guise, sources said.

Proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha resumed on the final day of the Parliament’s special session, with key legislative business and debates set to continue.

Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav questioned the need to amend the Women’s Reservation law, noting that the 2023 bill had already been passed and notified. Reacting to the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failing to pass in the Lok Sabha, he said there was no need for a fresh vote and alleged the move was politically motivated, linked to ongoing elections.

The BJP will stage a protest at the residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at 4 PM over the non-passage of the Women’s Bill, escalating the political confrontation on the issue.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the party is not against women’s reservation and had supported the 2023 amendment, but alleged that the government merged delimitation provisions into the new bill to consolidate power. Reacting to the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failing to pass in the Lok Sabha, he argued that combining multiple measures could allow future changes through a simple majority. Kharge said the quota should be implemented within the existing 543 seats and any further steps taken after the next census, accusing the government of attempting to alter the Constitution’s structure and centralise executive authority.