Parliament Debate: Amit Shah Counters Akhilesh Yadav Over Muslim Women's Reservation Query

On the first day of the three-day special session of Parliament, the Central Government introduced three bills aimed at considering and passing amendments to the Women's Reservation Act. The move faced stiff opposition from several opposition parties, including the Congress and the Samajwadi Party. The session witnessed intense debates as the government moved forward with its legislative agenda.

Opposition Objections and Technical Arguments

C. Venugopal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that members can't discuss the merits of the bills at the introduction stage. He emphasized that they're only permitted to raise technical objections regarding the introduction of the bills. The exchange highlighted the procedural friction between the treasury and opposition benches during the session.

Key Bills Introduced in Lok Sabha

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the proposal to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha. Following this, Union Home Minister Amit Shah proposed the introduction of the Union Territory Law (Amendment) Bill, 2026. On top of that, Law Minister Meghwal introduced the Delimitation Bill, 2026. These legislative steps are part of the government's framework to implement changes in the women's reservation policy.

Akhilesh Yadav’s Questions on Muslim Women and Census

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned the government's urgency in bringing the bills. While stating that the entire country wants reservation for women, he asked whether the government would extend this reservation to Muslim women as well. Yadav also raised concerns regarding the timing of the bills, questioning why they were being introduced before the completion of the national census.

Amit Shah’s Response on Constitutionality and Caste Census

Replying to the opposition's attack in the Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed Akhilesh Yadav's query regarding the census. Shah informed the house and the country that the census process has already commenced. He further stated that the government has decided to conduct a caste census, and the counting is being done along with caste data. Shah criticized the Samajwadi Party's approach and clarified that providing reservation based on religion is unconstitutional.

Dharmendra Yadav’s Stance and Opposition to the Bills

Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav voiced strong opposition to the introduced bills. He stated that the party opposes the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Union Territory Law (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026. He asserted that no other party is a greater supporter of women's reservation than the Samajwadi Party, despite their opposition to the current legislative proposals.