Sri Vijaya Puram, April 20: The political divide over women’s reservation sharpened on 19 April as Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying George Kurian accused opposition parties of blocking legislative efforts tied to expanding women’s representation, warning that delays continue to affect long-pending reforms on gender equity.
Addressing a press conference in Sri Vijaya Puram, Kurian said that despite the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill, officially the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, subsequent measures linked to its implementation and expansion have not received adequate backing from opposition benches. He framed the lack of support as a continuing obstacle to enhancing women’s participation in legislative bodies.
Kurian described the legislation, also known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, as a major step toward institutionalising political representation for women across the country. However, he said that progress beyond the Act has slowed due to resistance, which he linked to a broader pattern in parliamentary politics.
The Minister alleged that opposition parties have historically resisted policies aimed at uplifting women as well as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. He said this trend spans decades, including earlier political periods such as the tenure of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, suggesting that structural reforms in representation have repeatedly encountered political barriers.
Highlighting the implications of the Bill, Kurian said its full implementation could significantly reshape representation across regions. Referring to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, he noted that future delimitation-linked processes could increase parliamentary representation, with the possibility of seats rising from one to two. He said such changes would strengthen political inclusion in smaller and geographically isolated regions.
Kurian criticised what he termed an “anti-women mindset” within sections of the opposition, pointing to reactions following the failure to pass related measures. He said such responses undermine efforts to advance gender justice and delay reforms that are critical to ensuring equitable representation in governance structures.
He also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance on the issue, stating that the Prime Minister has consistently called for consensus across political lines. According to Kurian, Modi has urged parties to support the legislation in the larger interest of women’s rights, while maintaining that he does not seek personal credit for the reform.
The Minister further drew comparisons with earlier legislative approaches, including those from the 1970s, which he said did not sufficiently address the concerns of women and marginalised communities. He argued that current efforts aim to correct longstanding gaps in representation.
The press conference was attended by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders from the state unit, including State Vice President Sheela Singh and State President Anil Kumar Tiwari, who expressed support for the government’s initiatives focused on increasing women’s participation in governance.
Kurian said the government would continue to push for the passage and implementation of measures linked to the women’s reservation framework. He emphasised that advancing women’s representation remains a national priority and called for broader political alignment to move the process forward.
