NEW DELHI — Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju launched a sharp political counter at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday, pressing the Congress party to translate its statements on women’s empowerment into unconditional legislative support for the Women’s Reservation Bill.
Rijiju’s remarks came in response to a social media video where Gandhi spoke about dismantling patriarchal barriers and unlocking the potential of Indian women in public life and household decision-making.
Key Points
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Rijiju’s Challenge: Welcoming Gandhi’s video as a “positive message,” Rijiju questioned whether it signaled a genuine change of heart and called on the Opposition to support the 33% women’s quota without procedural conditions.
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Gandhi’s Message: The Leader of Opposition asserted that India remains “stunted” so long as women face rigid societal restrictions, urging greater freedom for young women across education, commerce, and everyday governance.
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Legislative Standoff: The exchange highlights persistent friction between the government and Opposition over the Women’s Reservation Bill, specifically regarding its link to national delimitation and parliamentary seat expansion.
