Activists slam ‘opaque’ manner of bringing in women’s Bill amendments

A large number of academics, former civil servants, and civil society activists have criticised the “opaque and non-consultative” manner in which the government is bringing Bills on women’s reservation and delimitation in the upcoming session of Parliament.

In a statement signed by more than 250 people, the activists and academics said: “As per media reports, the Cabinet has cleared three Bills to ostensibly pave the way for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies from 2029 – an amendment to the Women’s Reservation Act (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam), a Delimitation Bill and a separate Bill to extend the quota to Union Territories… We are writing to express our deep concern about the complete lack of transparency regarding the draft legislations proposed to be taken up during the three-day special extension of the Budget Session of Parliament scheduled to be held from April 16 to 18, 2026.”