New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India is set to hear a crucial plea on Monday seeking immediate implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assemblies, ahead of a special session of Parliament.

Bench to hear petition on Nari Shakti Vandan Act

According to the court’s causelist, a bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan will hear the petition filed by Congress leader Jaya Thakur.

The plea seeks immediate enforcement of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which mandates one-third reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies.

Petition challenges delay linked to Census, delimitation

The petition argues that the benefits of women’s reservation should not be deferred until after the next decennial Census and subsequent delimitation exercise, as currently provided in the law.

It contends that such preconditions are unnecessary since the number of seats is already fixed, highlighting that women—who make up nearly half of India’s population—remain significantly underrepresented in legislative bodies.

Earlier, in November 2023, the apex court had observed it would be “very difficult” to strike down the provision linking implementation to the Census and delimitation.

Parliament special session to take up Women’s Reservation Bill

The hearing gains significance as Parliament is scheduled to convene a special session from April 16 to take up the Women’s Reservation (Amendment) Bill.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to floor leaders across parties, urging unanimous support for the legislation to enable implementation of women’s reservation ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

He emphasised that greater participation of women in governance is critical to India’s ambition of becoming a developed nation and called for implementing the law “in its true spirit”.

Congress raises objections over timing

The Indian National Congress has opposed the timing of the special session, calling it a violation of the Model Code of Conduct amid ongoing Assembly election campaigns in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

The party has also demanded an all-party meeting on delimitation before proceeding with legislative steps to implement the women’s quota.

Why the Women’s Reservation Bill matters

The Women’s Reservation Bill—also known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Act—is a landmark reform aimed at boosting women’s representation in Indian politics, a long-pending demand in the country’s legislative framework.

IANS