During a recent Lok Sabha debate on the Women's Reservation Bill, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi stated unequivocally his support for the legislation on Wednesday (September 20). Gandhi emphasised the important role women played in India's independence struggle, as well as their equal capabilities in comparison to men. He did, however, point out the bill's shortcomings and expressed a desire for reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC). Furthermore, he questioned the need for a census and delimitation process, arguing that the bill could be implemented immediately to grant women 33% reservation in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.


"I stand in support of the Women's Reservation Bill... Women have fought for their independence, and they are as capable as any man, and in many ways, more capable than a man. One thing, in my opinion, makes this bill incomplete; I would have liked to see OBC reservation included in this bill," Gandhi said. 






"There are two odd things. One is the notion that a census and delimitation are required. This bill, which provides 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, can be implemented today... I'm wondering if this is a plan to move the ball forward by 7, 8, or 9 years and then let this thing play out," he added. 






Without naming the ruling party, Gandhi continued, "I know my 'friends' like to divert attention away from other issues. Of course, there's the Adani issue; they're always trying to divert attention."


Gandhi continued, "This is a nice beautiful building, beautiful peacocks, chairs... nice tasteful building, frankly, I would have loved to see the President of India, in this process. The President of India is a woman who represents the tribal community, and it would have been appropriate for her to be visible during the transfer from one building to another." 


"Aside from the Adani issue, the government also likes to divert attention to the caste census. When the opposition brings up the issue of caste census, the BJP attempts to create a new division so that the OBC community and the people of India look the other way," he added further. 


Earlier in the day, ex-Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, DMK MP Kanimozhi, and NCP MP Supriya Sule slammed the government for failing to respect women in their speeches in the new Parliament.


'Govt Has 90 Secretaries, How Many Are Of OBC Community?' Asks Rahul Gandhi


"The Government of India has 90 secretaries...How many of the 90 are members of the OBC community? The answer stunned and shattered me...I'd like to respond...Only three secretaries are from the OBC community...," said Rahul Gandhi, a Congress MP, in Lok Sabha.






In addition to supporting the bill, Rahul Gandhi raised the party's demand for a caste census, claiming that it is the only way to determine the population of Dalits, tribals, and Other Backward Classes.


"You (Government) implement this bill," he added. "There is no need for delimitation or a census; simply give women a 33 percent reservation."