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Athawale: Opposing Delimitation is Anti-Women; DMK Protests Southern State Impact

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale stated that opposing the delimitation process equates to an anti-women stance, as it is crucial for increasing seats and implementing women's reservation. Meanwhile, DMK leader T. Sumathy protested, arguing the delimitation bill unfairly reduces the political power share of southern states. The Delimitation Bill and related constitutional amendments were introduced in the Lok Sabha following a division vote of 251 in favor to 185 against. The government is convening a special Parliament session to pass amendments aiming to implement the women's reservation bill from the 2029 elections based on the 2011 census.

Key Points: Delimitation Bill Row: Athawale Calls Opposition Anti-Women

  • Delimitation essential for women's quota
  • Southern states fear power share loss
  • Bills introduced after Lok Sabha division
  • Govt seeks 2029 implementation
3 min read

"Opposing delimitation is like taking an anti-women stance": Union Minister Ramdas Athawale

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale links delimitation to women's reservation as DMK protests. Bills introduced in Lok Sabha amid division vote.

"Opposing the delimitation bill is like taking an anti-women stance. - Ramdas Athawale"

New Delhi, April 16

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Thursday said that opposing the delimitation process is "not right" and asserted that women's reservation and increase in seats will be achieved only through delimitation.

Speaking to ANI, Athawale said, "Seats will also increase in the legislative assemblies. Everyone has the right to give suggestions, but opposing the delimitation bill is like taking an anti-women stance."

He further added, "I think it is not right to oppose delimitation. Only after delimitation will the seats increase. It is through delimitation that women will get a reservation."

Meanwhile, Union Minister Chirag Paswan also supported the Women's Reservation Bill, calling it a long-pending demand.

Paswan said, "This demand has been decades old. Providing women's reservation is essential. In such a situation, it is beyond my understanding why efforts are being made to deprive women of these rights."

He added, "Sometimes reservation within reservation is made the basis, sometimes the number of seats is made the basis. First, everyone worked to pass it, but now, at the time of implementation, the opposition is protesting against it."

Meanwhile, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Dr T. Sumathy opposed the linkage of delimitation with the reservation issue, saying the party would continue to protest.

She said, "Our Chief Minister M K Stalin has asked the Tamil Nadu people as well as the party functionaries, members of Parliament to wear black dress as a mark of protest against the forthcoming draconian, dishonest, harmful delimitation bill."

She added, "DMK will always support the Women's Reservation Bill... Why should it get linked with this draconian delimitation, which cuts down the power share of all the southern states, is the major concern."

The Delimitation Bill, 2026, along with the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, were introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday after the Opposition pressed for a division against the move to introduce three Bills, instead of a voice vote.

Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla initiated the division to move to introduce the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The Opposition members in the Lok Sabha had pressed for a division against the move to introduce the bill.As per the final division, there were a total of 251 AYES and 185 NOES out of the total 333 votes.

With the 251 AYES majority, all three Bills, including the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, were introduced in the Lok Sabha.

Meanwhile, the government has convened a special sitting of Parliament from today to April 18 to pass the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

The government has been seeking opposition support for passing the amendment bill to implement the women's reservation bill from the 2029 Lok Sabha polls on the basis of the 2011 census.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Finally some movement on women's reservation! It's been pending for decades. If delimitation is the necessary step to get it implemented by 2029, then so be it. Let's not delay empowerment any further. 🙏
A
Arjun K
Athawale's statement is misleading. Opposing a flawed delimitation process that penalizes states for better population control is not being "anti-women". It's about protecting federal fairness. The government should decouple these bills.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has followed Indian politics, this seems like a strategic move. By linking it, they force a difficult choice. But women's representation shouldn't be a bargaining chip. Implement it based on the 2011 census now, figure out delimitation separately.
K
Karthik V
The southern states' concern is valid. Why should they lose political power because they successfully implemented family planning? Delimitation based solely on population will create a north-south rift. Need a more balanced formula.
M
Meera T
Black dress protest by DMK shows how strongly Tamil Nadu feels. This isn't about women's reservation for them, it's about justice. Hope the government listens and finds a middle path. Jai Hind.

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