Bill was not about women. They wanted to divide nation: Mamata targets BJP
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using the Women’s Reservation Bill as a tool to divide the nation, rather than genuinely advancing women’s empowerment. Speaking at a public rally in Kolkata on Saturday, Banerjee stated that the BJP’s “downfall” has begun following the defeat of the Constitution amendment bill seeking 33% reservation for women in legislative assemblies from 2029. Her remarks come amid heightened political tensions over the bill’s implementation timeline and the BJP’s broader electoral strategy in West Bengal.
The Women’s Reservation Bill, which aims to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women, was passed by both houses of Parliament in September 2023. However, its implementation is contingent on the completion of the next delimitation exercise, which will redraw constituency boundaries based on the 2021 Census data. The delimitation process is expected to conclude after the 2024 general elections, with the reservation provision set to accept effect from the 2029 general elections, as specified in the bill’s provisions.
Banerjee’s criticism reflects her longstanding opposition to the BJP’s political tactics in West Bengal, where the party has made significant inroads in recent years. She argued that the timing of the bill’s rollout—delayed until after the 2024 elections—was deliberately designed to prevent immediate electoral benefits for women candidates, thereby undermining its purported goal. “This bill was not about women. They wanted to divide the nation,” Banerjee said, suggesting that the BJP’s true intent was to create political fragmentation rather than foster inclusive governance.
The Chief Minister’s comments were made during a rally organized by her Trinamool Congress (TMC) party, which has positioned itself as the primary opposition to the BJP in the state. Banerjee has consistently criticized the central government’s policies, accusing it of neglecting West Bengal’s interests and pursuing a divisive agenda. Her latest remarks add to a growing chorus of opposition leaders who question the BJP’s motivations behind key legislative initiatives.
Context and Implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill
The Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, which provides for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, was passed unanimously by the Lok Sabha on September 20, 2023 and by the Rajya Sabha on September 21, 2023. The bill received presidential assent on September 28, 2023, and was notified in the Gazette of India on the same date. However, as per Article 334A of the Constitution, the reservation will not come into effect until after the delimitation exercise following the publication of the relevant census figures for the first time after the commencement of this article.
The delimitation exercise, which adjusts parliamentary and assembly constituencies to reflect population changes, is based on the 2021 Census data. The Delimitation Commission, established under the Delimitation Act, 2002, is responsible for carrying out this process. While the 2021 Census was conducted, its data release has been delayed, with the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, indicating that the final data is expected to be available only after the 2024 general elections. The delimitation process is unlikely to be completed before the 2024 polls, pushing the implementation of women’s reservation to the 2029 general elections, as the bill stipulates.
This delay has been a point of contention among opposition parties, who argue that the BJP is using the procedural requirement to deny women immediate political representation. Supporters of the bill, however, contend that the delimitation requirement is a necessary constitutional step to ensure fair and accurate representation based on updated population data. The Election Commission of India has stated that it will oversee the delimitation process once the census data is officially released, though no specific timeline has been provided for the completion of this exercise.
Political Implications in West Bengal
In West Bengal, the BJP has emerged as a significant challenger to the Trinamool Congress in recent elections, securing 18 seats in the 2021 state assembly elections and making substantial gains in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Banerjee’s accusation that the BJP seeks to divide the nation through legislative maneuvers is part of her broader narrative that the central government is undermining federalism and state autonomy. She has frequently warned that the BJP’s policies are designed to weaken regional parties and consolidate power at the center.
The Chief Minister’s remarks also highlight the strategic importance of women’s representation in West Bengal’s political landscape. Women constitute approximately 48% of the state’s population, according to the 2011 Census, and their increased participation in politics has been a key focus of TMC’s governance agenda. Banerjee has pointed to her own government’s initiatives, such as the Kanyashree Prakalpa scheme, which has benefited over 8 million girls since its launch in 2013, as evidence of her commitment to women’s empowerment.
Political analysts note that the debate over the Women’s Reservation Bill has become intertwined with regional politics, particularly in states like West Bengal where the BJP-TMC rivalry is intense. While the bill enjoys broad cross-party support in principle, disagreements over its timing and implementation have fueled partisan rhetoric. Banerjee’s framing of the bill as a divisive tool rather than a progressive measure reflects her effort to portray the BJP as prioritizing political gain over genuine social reform.
Reactions and Broader Political Discourse
Banerjee’s comments have drawn varied responses from political leaders across the spectrum. BJP leaders have defended the bill’s implementation timeline, stating that the delimitation requirement is a constitutional necessity that cannot be bypassed. They have accused the Trinamool Congress of politicizing a progressive measure for electoral gain, pointing to the party’s own record on women’s representation in the state assembly, where women hold approximately 30% of seats as of 2024.
Other opposition leaders, including those from the Congress and Left parties, have echoed some of Banerjee’s concerns about the delay in implementation but have generally supported the bill’s objective. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has called for the delimitation process to be expedited to allow the reservation to take effect sooner, while emphasizing that the bill’s core intent remains valid. Meanwhile, women’s rights organizations have urged all parties to focus on ensuring effective implementation rather than engaging in partisan debates over timing.
The Election Commission of India has reiterated that it will carry out the delimitation process in accordance with the law once the census data is made available. It has not commented on the political implications of the delay, maintaining that its role is strictly administrative and bound by constitutional provisions. As the 2024 general elections approach, the Women’s Reservation Bill remains a significant point of discussion in India’s political discourse, with its actual impact on women’s political participation still pending until after the delimitation exercise is completed.
The next official update on the delimitation process is expected from the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, regarding the release of the 2021 Census data, which is currently anticipated after the 2024 general elections. Once the data is available, the Delimitation Commission will commence its work, and the Election Commission of India will oversee the implementation of the new constituency boundaries.
For ongoing updates on the Women’s Reservation Bill and delimitation process, readers can refer to the official websites of the Election Commission of India and the Ministry of Law and Justice. Stay informed and share your thoughts on this critical issue affecting India’s democratic landscape.