BackPOLITICS
Shrinate accuses BJP of using women’s reservation as political shield
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate alleged the BJP government is using the women’s reservation bill as a political shield for divisive aims. The timeline includes the bill’s defeat in Lok Sabha on April 17, 2026, followed by Shrinate’s remarks at an April 19 press briefing in New Delhi, and references to the 2023 bill passed in September 2023.
Why It Matters
The episode shapes the debate over women’s representation in Parliament and the use of constitutional amendments to influence delimitation and seat allocation.
Timeline
4 Events
Shrinate condemns BJP’s approach at AICC press briefing
April 19, 2026
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate accused the BJP government of using women’s reservation as a political shield for divisive, undemocratic aims. She criticized the PM’s address as a crocodile-tears performance, accused the government of pursuing an undemocratic delimitation behind the shield of the reservation bill, and called for removal of all conditions attached to the 2023 bill. She noted BJP’s women representation in Lok Sabha stands at 12.9% and urged the bill’s passage.
PM Modi's televised address after the bill's defeat
April 17, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a televised address and described the opposition's reasons as excuses to deny women’s rights; in the address, he reportedly mentioned Congress 58 times in 29 minutes.
Constitution amendment bill fails to pass Lok Sabha
April 17, 2026
A Constitution amendment bill to expand the Lok Sabha size and fast-track 33% reservation for women failed to garner the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha.
Parliament passes women’s reservation bill
September 21, 2023
The article references that the women’s reservation bill had been passed by Parliament on September 21, 2023.