Participating in the discussion on the Women’s Reservation Bill, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a scathing attack on the Central Government on Friday. He alleged that the amendment to the Women’s Reservation Act has nothing to do with women’s reservation. He said it is an attempt to change India’s electoral map. Rahul Gandhi called it a shameful act. Participating in the Lok Sabha discussions on the Constitution (131st) Amendment Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territory Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, related to the Women’s Reservation Act, he also alleged that the government is trying to suppress the caste census.
Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government deliberately avoids the caste census. He said this is an attempt to deprive the OBC community of their rights. He stated in Parliament that it is a historical fact that Dalits and OBCs have not been treated well. He said that efforts are still being made to keep them away from power.
Rahul Gandhi stated in Parliament that Manuwadi thinking dominates the Constitution. The government is spreading confusion regarding the caste census. He said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah repeatedly states that the caste census has begun and claims that caste does not exist in homes. Rahul Gandhi questioned whether the real issue is whether the caste census will be used to determine representation in Parliament and state assemblies.
Rahul Gandhi stated in the Lok Sabha that the people of the south, smaller states, and the northeastern part of the country need not worry, as they are equal partners in the Indian Union and their representation will be protected. He asserted that no one will allow the Indian Union to be attacked and that everyone will have equal rights. He alleged that the BJP calls Dalits and backward communities Hindus only in name, but does not give them their due place in power. Rahul Gandhi further stated that the BJP leadership holds the illusion that they are the people of India and the armed forces, which is false. He stated that his attack is not on the people or the army, but on the BJP’s policies.
Rahul Gandhi’s statements on the Women’s Reservation (Nari Shakti Vandan Act), in which he described it as a “capture of power through delimitation” and “anti-OBC and Dalit,” have drawn sharp reactions from the BJP and its supporters. The BJP termed his statements as false and against the decorum of Parliament, saying that he is afraid of women’s empowerment and always runs away from the House after spreading misinformation.
The main reactions from the BJP and its supporters to Rahul Gandhi’s statement are as follows:
Anurag Thakur (BJP MP) said that Rahul Gandhi delivered his speech and then left the House without listening to others. He alleged that the Congress leader repeatedly makes “wrong” statements and behaves against the rules of the House.
The BJP responded to Rahul Gandhi’s statement by saying that women have seen unprecedented empowerment under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and that the Congress is merely opposing women’s reservation. BJP MPs reacted sharply to Rahul Gandhi’s call for the government to be a “magician,” calling it insulting.
The BJP ensured that women’s reservation was not taking away the rights of OBCs and Dalits, but was instead making it more transparent.