Chhattisgarh House Passes Women’s Reservation Resolution After 10-Hour Debate 

Opposition stages walkout, calling the government resolution on 33% women’s reservation a diversionary tactic; CM Sai terms the boycott “beyond understanding.”

A marathon debate lasting over ten hours in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly concluded late on Wednesday with the passage of a government resolution backing 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, but not before the opposition staged a complete walkout.

The ruling dispensation’s move, seen largely as a political statement rather than a binding legal step, sharply divided the House. Even as the debate stretched through most of the day, the temperature inside the chamber kept rising. At one point, the verbal exchanges between treasury and opposition benches turned so sharp that Speaker Dr. Raman Singh had to intervene repeatedly.

Opposition Walks Out

The Congress legislature party decided to boycott the proceedings just before the resolution was formally put to vote. They accused the BJP government of raising a “false narrative” to divert attention from real issues.

“They talked about bringing a censure motion outside the House. Now, they are suddenly discussing a government resolution,” a senior opposition leader said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Congress members insisted that any serious discussion on women’s reservation must be linked to a fresh census and delimitation exercise first. Their argument: without these, the quota is a non-starter.

Sharp Exchange Over Intent

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, while replying to the debate, appeared visibly irked by the opposition’s stance. He said the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam had already been passed by the central government, and that opposing it on delimitation grounds made little sense.

“Parisiman (delimitation) expands representational areas. More people get a voice. The opposition’s resistance is beyond comprehension,” Sai said.

He even cited his own experience as a four-time MP from Raigadh. “The constituency there sprawls over nearly 350 kilometres. One representative cannot reach everywhere. Delimitation would have broken this up, eased access for people.” He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were willing to give credit for the law to the opposition if they wanted it, but that Congress chose “opposition for opposition’s sake.”

Minister’s Sharp Retort

Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Rajwade did not hold back either. She claimed that the Congress has historically opposed quotas for women. “The party is simply uncomfortable with the idea. Every time a bill comes up, they find new excuses. We are determined to complete the process and implement this at the earliest,” Rajwade said.

‘Patriarchal Mindset’ Accusation

Leader of Opposition Dr. Charan Das Mahant, speaking before the walkout, launched a scathing counterattack. He argued the BJP’s “manuwadi and patriarchal thinking” does not want women to get equal rights.

“If 33 per cent reservation is implemented on 850 seats, women would get roughly 280 seats. Men would still have 570. That would have been a blow to the patriarchal mindset, and that is exactly why they are not implementing it,” Mahant alleged.

Congress MLA Anila Bhediya was even more direct, calling the entire exercise an “election jhunjhuna” (rattle). “The women of this country know the bill was passed in 2023 but never implemented. They are not naïve,” she said.

Deputy Chief Minister, who was seated next to Sai, took a jibe at the Congress’s old poll promise of ₹500, asking, “What right do they have to speak about women’s rights today?”

Over 500 Women Representatives Attended

The day saw a notable presence of over 500 women public representatives from across the state, attending the session as special invitees. Their presence added a visible, ground-level weight to the proceedings, though it did little to bridge the political divide.

What Next?

Following the passage of the resolution, Speaker Raman Singh adjourned the House sine die. He indicated that the next monsoon session is tentatively scheduled for the second week of July. With the government claiming a moral victory and the opposition vowing to continue its protest, the political confrontation over the issue is far from settled.