Women’s Reservation Act Sparks Political Debate, Leaders Push for Early Implementation

New Delhi, March 2026 : The implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act has triggered a fresh political debate, with leaders across party lines expressing divergent views—some urging immediate rollout, while others criticising delays in its execution.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan launched a sharp attack on opposition parties, accusing them of losing public trust and focusing more on criticism than self-reflection. He said that many opposition groups are struggling with credibility issues and spend more time levelling allegations instead of introspecting on their own shortcomings.

On the other hand, BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat strongly advocated for the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the legislation is brought into force without further delay. She emphasised that the responsibility now lies with all stakeholders, including the Opposition, to support the initiative in the interest of women’s empowerment.

Leaders from the Congress party reiterated their long-standing support for women’s reservation in legislative bodies. Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad pointed out that the proposal had already received approval during the tenure of the UPA government. She highlighted that the idea of 33 per cent reservation for women was originally initiated during the leadership of Rajiv Gandhi.

Senior Congress leader Tariq Anwar echoed similar sentiments, stating that the demand for implementing the law has been pending for a long time. Referring to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, he said that concerns over delays are justified and reiterated the party’s consistent backing of women’s reservation.

Congress MP Hibi Eden also underlined the role of Congress leadership in advancing the legislation. He credited Sonia Gandhi for taking a proactive role in pushing the bill forward during her tenure as UPA Chairperson, adding that the party had strongly supported its passage.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan said that while the Opposition broadly supports the bill, concerns remain over the pace of its implementation. She noted that merely announcing legislation is not enough and stressed the need for concrete steps to translate policy into action. Highlighting the broader impact, she added that empowering women through political representation would also contribute positively to the economy.

Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal also voiced strong support for the measure, reaffirming her party’s commitment to ensuring greater representation of women in legislative institutions.

The Women’s Reservation Act, officially known as the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies, and the Delhi Assembly, including seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Passed in September 2023, the law marks a significant step towards enhancing women’s participation in politics.

However, its implementation is contingent upon the completion of the next national census and subsequent delimitation exercise. The reservation is set to remain in effect for 15 years once enforced.

As political discourse continues, the central issue remains the timeline for implementation, with growing calls across parties to ensure that the promise of greater representation for women translates into reality at the earliest.