Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi has called for the immediate implementation of women’s reservation, saying it should not be linked to the census or the delimitation process. His remarks come at a time when political parties are debating how and when the proposed reservation for women in legislatures should be rolled out.
In a statement shared on his X handle, Gogoi said the position of the Congress and several opposition parties was clear and straightforward. He said women’s reservation should be implemented without any conditions or delays. At the same time, he added that the national census should be carried out quickly so that updated data is available for proper representation of different communities, including Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Gogoi also spoke about the importance of delimitation, which is the process of redrawing the boundaries of parliamentary and assembly constituencies. He said such an exercise should be done only after building a broad national consensus. According to him, delimitation must be carried out in a way that protects the country’s federal structure and maintains unity among states.
Taking aim at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, Gogoi accused it of mixing different issues. He said the government was trying to link women’s reservation with delimitation and census processes, which he described as separate matters. He further alleged that this approach could lead to what he called an “unfair delimitation,” while also delaying the long-pending caste census.
The Congress leader’s remarks come amid a wider political discussion on electoral reforms in the country. The issue of women’s reservation has been pending for years, with several parties supporting the idea in principle but differing on how and when it should be implemented. The debate has gained fresh attention as discussions around the next census and possible delimitation have also intensified.
Gogoi said that for a fair and inclusive democracy, it is important to move forward on all fronts, but without making one reform dependent on another. He stressed that women’s representation in legislatures should not be delayed due to administrative or political considerations.