Ahead of voting on the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the opposition of creating division within the country by playing ‘North-South’ politics. He said, “Those who took oath with the Constitution in their hands, now want to divide the country between North and South; we will not let this happen. They think that by spreading such things they will gain popularity.” Then, pointing to the Speaker’s chair—a symbol of power—he said, “Your hair [उम्र के साथ] Even if you turn white, you will never be able to sit on this chair.”
Home Minister Amit Shah said, “If one listens to this debate carefully, it becomes clear that no one has opposed the constitutional amendment whose purpose is to provide reservation to women. Everyone has said that they welcome this constitutional amendment; but, in fact, all the members of the ‘INDIA’ alliance have clearly opposed women’s reservation.”
He further said, “I want to tell the ‘mother power’ (women) of this country that the proposal put forward by the Congress Party—in the absence of Rahul Gandhi—is a calculated move. Its purpose is to ensure that women’s reservation is not implemented before 2029. Therefore, with regard to their demand that our states be given equal importance, I agree. Women’s reservation *must* be implemented before 2029. It should happen. We will not let their conspiracy to delay its implementation succeed and it should be implemented after 2029.” Home Minister Amit Shah further explained, “Consider the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala. [लोकसभा में] Out of the total 543 seats, the current total number of seats from these five states is 129, which makes up 23.76 percent. Now, after the proposed expansion—when the seat sharing for these five states is revised—their total number of seats will increase from 129 to 195. If we calculate it as a percentage of the new total number of seats of 816, it comes to 23.87 percent. Earlier it was 23.76 percent; Now it will be 23.87 percent. There will be no loss to any state.”
He concluded by saying, “Ever since this bill was introduced, the opposition has started spreading some misconceptions—especially the claim that the government has brought this constitutional amendment only to avoid or postpone the caste census.” I would like to clarify that we had announced the complete schedule of caste census three months ago; There is no question of postponing it. The caste census has already started, and its first phase is currently underway.