Mandaviya slams Congress, TMC over Women's Reservation Bill defeat

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya slammed the opposition after the Women's Reservation Bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha. He, along with CM Manik Saha and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, accused Congress, TMC, DMK, and SP of having an anti-women mindset.

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya strongly criticised Congress over the non-passage of the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha, saying that "stripping women of their rights is an old and corrupt mindset of the Congress."

"Stripping women of their rights is an old and corrupt mindset of the Congress! By opposing the bill in Parliament today, Congress, TMC, DMK, and the Samajwadi Party have proven that they are staunchly against women's empowerment. The women of the country will never forget this insult," Mandaviya said in a strongly worded post on X on Friday.

मातृशक्ति का अधिकार छीनना कांग्रेस की पुरानी और दूषित मानसिकता है! संसद में आज बिल का विरोध करके कांग्रेस, TMC, DMK और समाजवादी पार्टी ने साबित कर दिया है कि वह महिला सशक्तिकरण के सख्त खिलाफ है। देश की महिलाएं अपने इस अपमान को कभी नहीं भूलेंगी। — Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) April 17, 2026

'Black Day for Indian Democracy'

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday described the defeat of Constitutional Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha as a "black day for Indian democracy."

"Black Day for Indian Democracy, Opposition's Anti-Women Mindset Exposed. Today's failure to pass the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill-2026 in Lok Sabha reveals the Congress, TMC, DMK, SP, and INDIA alliance's deep-seated anti-women mentality. This is a dark chapter in our democracy. It's not just a bill's defeat, it's the shattering of millions of sisters' trust in a brighter future. While we envision 'Nari Shakti' empowerment, the opposition's narrow mindset has erected a wall on their path. This is an insult to their dreams and strength. The opposition's insult to Nari Shakti will cost them dearly. This rage won't stop. From 2029 Lok Sabha polls to every local election, India's women will teach a harsh lesson to those who trample their aspirations," CM Saha said on social media.

Shekhawat Slams Rahul Gandhi's 'Hypocrisy'

In a post on X, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, "A dark day for India. The Women's Reservation Bill was defeated by RahulGandhi, exposing their hypocrisy on women's empowerment. They denied Nari Shakti the respect and representation it deserves, insulting millions of Indian women."

A dark day for India. The Women’s Reservation Bill was defeated by @RahulGandhi and his @INCIndia coterie, exposing their hypocrisy on women’s empowerment. They denied Nari Shakti the respect and representation it deserves, insulting millions of Indian women. Instead of speaking… — Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) April 17, 2026

"Instead of speaking on women's reservation, Rahul Gandhi wandered into unrelated stories like a student filling answer sheets with anything because he has no real answer. When the nation expected vision, he delivered confusion. When history called for leadership, he offered a distraction. India is watching. Women are watching. Rahul Gandhi's immature politics will come at a heavy price, and Congress may never regain the trust of women again," Shekhawat further said.

Bill Fails to Secure Two-Thirds Majority

The Constitution Amendment Bill for the implementation of Women's Reservation from the 2029 general elections was defeated in the Lok Sabha, with the opposition parties voting against it.In the division that took place following the debate on the three bills, 298 members supported the bill while 230 voted against it.

A Constitution Amendment Bill is passed if it gets the support of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the results of the division."The Constitution (131st Amendment) Amendment Bill did not pass as it did not achieve a 2/3 majority during voting in the House," he said. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)