As the special parliamentary session began, opposition parties in Lok Sabha fiercely protested three bills to implement one-third women's reservation via delimitation on Thursday. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, Delimitation Bill, 2026, and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah assured southern states' seats would increase proportionally without reducing their share.
Following the government's circulation of the bills earlier this week amid mixed reactions from allies and opposition, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal formally introduced the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, Delimitation Bill, 2026, and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in Lok Sabha on Thursday under Rule 72, sparking strong protests.
Congress MP K C Venugopal labeled the Delimitation Bill a 'fundamental attack on federal structure' and anti-Constitution, demanding its withdrawal. DMK MPs entered in black attire, prompting PM Modi to quip, 'In our culture, we apply kala teeka for auspicious events. I thank you for it.' Home Minister Amit Shah and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju dismissed opposition concerns as mere technical objections.
A motion suspending Rule 66 proviso allowed considering all bills together, passing with 251 votes in favour and 185 against. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized reserving 33% from the existing 543 seats instead of expanding to 850 based on 2011 Census data, claiming it undermines democracy and OBC rights.
This follows the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, notified effective April 16, 2026, despite NDA's past majority challenges. Shah reiterated protections for southern states' representation. Meghwal recited his poem 'Hamari aan hai naari, hamaari shaan hai naari', drawing applause, as Speaker Om Birla joked about interruptions.
