Women's Reservation Bill: The Risks of Hasty Delimitation and Census Data
The Indian Express editorial critiques the Narendra Modi government's rushed approach to implementing the Women's Reservation Bill alongside a major delimitation exercise. While welcoming the long-awaited one-third reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures, the article argues that the concurrent expansion of seats and redrawing of constituencies lacks adequate deliberation. A central concern is the decision to base the new delimitation for the 2029 elections on the 2011 Census, ignoring significant population shifts revealed by the ongoing new Census. This haste risks exacerbating North-South political divides and undermining trust in the electoral process, as seen in recent controversies over electoral roll revisions in West Bengal. The editorial emphasizes that such consequential constitutional changes require broad consensus and dialogue with the Opposition, rather than being driven by short-term electoral deadlines. It urges the government to use the special Parliament session as a starting point for inclusive discussions, ensuring that the implementation of these historic reforms is fair, data-driven, and respectful of India's diverse federal structure.
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Women's Reservation Bill: The Risks of Hasty Delimitation and Census Data
The Indian Express editorial critiques the Narendra Modi government's rushed approach to implementing the Women's Reservation Bill alongside a major delimitation exercise. While welcoming the long-awaited one-third reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures, the article argues that the concurrent expansion of seats and redrawing of constituencies lacks adequate deliberation. A central concern is the decision to base the new delimitation for the 2029 elections on the 2011 Census, ignoring significant population shifts revealed by the ongoing new Census. This haste risks exacerbating North-South political divides and undermining trust in the electoral process, as seen in recent controversies over electoral roll revisions in West Bengal. The editorial emphasizes that such consequential constitutional changes require broad consensus and dialogue with the Opposition, rather than being driven by short-term electoral deadlines. It urges the government to use the special Parliament session as a starting point for inclusive discussions, ensuring that the implementation of these historic reforms is fair, data-driven, and respectful of India's diverse federal structure.
indianexpress