Amit Shah says Opposition against women’s reservation, not its implementation; claims delimitation critics oppose SC/ST seat hike

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the Opposition was not against the implementation of women’s reservation but the quota itself, and accused parties opposing delimitation of effectively resisting an increase in Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe representation.

Intervening in the Lok Sabha debate on the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill and the Delimitation Bill, Shah said the resistance from opposition parties was “not about procedure but about the objective”, asserting that they were opposing the very idea of reservation for women.

“It is my responsibility to convince this House that the opposition is not to the implementation, but to women’s reservation itself,” he said.


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On delimitation, Shah argued that critics of the exercise were also opposing the constitutionally mandated increase in SC/ST seats, which is linked to population changes. “Those opposing delimitation are also opposing the increase in seats for SC/ST candidates,” he said.

Defending the need for delimitation, Shah said the principle of “one person, one vote, one value” was being undermined due to wide disparities in the size of constituencies. He pointed out that some parliamentary constituencies have over 40 lakh voters, while others have significantly fewer, making it difficult for MPs to adequately represent their electorate.

“In some constituencies there are over 39–48 lakh voters. How can a Member of Parliament address the aspirations of such a large population?” he asked, adding that there are over 120 constituencies with more than 20 lakh voters.

Shah said delimitation, mandated under Articles 82 and 170 of the Constitution, is essential to ensure balanced and fair representation, taking into account changes in population, administrative boundaries, urbanisation and infrastructure.

He also said the government aims to implement women’s reservation in time for the 2029 general elections, with the quota linked to the delimitation exercise to be carried out after the next Census, as provided under the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

Addressing concerns on the timing, Shah pointed out that delimitation was frozen in 1976 during the Emergency and the number of Lok Sabha seats has remained unchanged since then.

He said the proposed reforms seek to ensure a “balanced, inclusive and practical democratic structure”, while maintaining federal balance and aligning representation with population realities.

The remarks come amid sharp political divisions over the proposed delimitation exercise, with several southern states raising concerns that population-based redistribution of seats could reduce their share in the Lok Sabha.

Shah rejects North-South divide narrative

Shah also pushed back against concerns that the delimitation exercise could deepen a North-South divide, asserting that all states and regions enjoy equal rights in Parliament.

He said members from southern states have the same rights and powers as those from the North, stressing that even smaller regions such as Lakshadweep hold equal standing in the Lok Sabha.

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Calling the North-South framing a “misconception”, Shah accused opposition parties of attempting to create divisions for political gain. “This House must not be divided on the basis of North versus South. We must rise above such politics,” he said.

He added that Members of Parliament represent the entire country and not just their constituencies or regions, and cautioned against narratives that could undermine national unity.