Tempers flared in the Lok Sabha on Friday as Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his tone during the debate on the women’s reservation and delimitation proposals.

Responding to the discussion, Shah said the Leader of the Opposition bears a special responsibility to maintain the dignity of Parliament. He objected to phrases he attributed to Gandhi, suggesting such remarks lowered the standard of discourse in the House and reflected poorly before the nation.

In a pointed remark, Shah advised Gandhi to refine his parliamentary style by learning from more seasoned leaders. Drawing murmurs and reactions from members, he quipped that if no seniors were available, Gandhi could take cues from his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Priyanka Gandhi’s Intervention

Earlier in the debate, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had delivered a forceful critique of the government’s decision to link the proposed 33% reservation for women with a delimitation exercise. In a rhetorical flourish, she invoked the ancient strategist Chanakya, suggesting that even he might have been surprised by what she described as the political manoeuvring behind the bill.

Her remarks briefly drew a smile from Shah — a moment Rahul Gandhi later referenced humorously. He told the House that his sister managed in a few minutes to make the Home Minister smile, something he joked he had not achieved in years, prompting laughter across benches.

Bill Defeated in Lower House

The Constitution Amendment Bill seeking to operationalise 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures by 2029 was ultimately voted down. The proposal received 298 votes in support and 230 against, falling short of the two-thirds majority required for constitutional amendments. With 528 members participating, at least 352 affirmative votes were necessary for passage.

The legislation aimed to expand the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 seats to as many as 850, facilitating the implementation of the reservation framework after a fresh delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. It also proposed increasing seats in state assemblies and Union Territory legislatures to accommodate the quota.

The debate, marked by political sparring and moments of levity, concluded with the bill’s defeat — setting the stage for continued contestation between the government and Opposition over representation, delimitation and women’s political empowerment.