Following the defeat of the Women's Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha, Congress MP Manickam Tagore challenged PM Modi and Amit Shah to give up their seats for women candidates if 33% reservation is implemented across existing constituencies.
For the first time since 2014, the Modi government failed to pass a bill in Parliament, a move analysts suggest was strategic. By forcing a vote on the women's reservation bill, linked to delimitation, the BJP aimed to record every MP's stance, creating a potent campaign tool. The government positioned itself as pro-women reformists, while blaming opposition parties for obstructing progress. This tactic seeks to shape the political narrative ahead of crucial elections, highlighting intent versus obstruction.
Rahul Gandhi attacked the Women's Reservation Bill, calling it a political maneuver to alter India's electoral map rather than empower women. He alleged the government aims to weaken the political voice of OBCs and Dalits through constituency restructuring, vowing opposition to this "anti-national" move.
The Supreme Court heard arguments on whether religious practices, like the nudity of Digambar Jain sadhus, can be banned. The Travancore Devaswom Board argued that courts shouldn't judge core religious tenets, citing a Nepal SC ruling on Naga Sadhus. The board emphasized that a community's belief determines religious practice, not external adjudication.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a state-wide black flag protest against the Centre's proposed delimitation exercise. He warned of severe political consequences if concerns about reducing southern states' political weight are ignored. Stalin described the move as a 'grave danger' and a 'historic injustice' that could widen the North-South divide and undermine federalism.
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