Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot Slams Centre's Haste on Women's Reservation Bill
In a sharp critique from Jaipur, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday accused the central government of rushing the proposed 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill under the guise of women's reservation. He questioned the timing and intent behind the move, warning of wider political repercussions if concerns are not addressed.
Concerns Over Census Data and Regional Divide
Gehlot raised significant concerns over the reported use of 2011 Census data for delimitation purposes, terming the move "inappropriate" and cautioning that it could deepen the North-South divide. He highlighted that southern states' apprehensions must be taken seriously to prevent regional tensions.
Referring to concerns flagged by Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin, Gehlot said the signals emerging from the region were "very serious" and needed urgent attention. "The anger and apprehensions voiced by the leaders of the southern states should be taken very seriously by the PM. I am repeating this deliberately — if people in the south start feeling that the north is imposing itself on them and weakening their position, the situation can deteriorate," he emphasized.
Gehlot hinted at developments reminiscent of agitations from the 1950s and 1960s in South India, calling it a "very dangerous signal" that shows the depth of sentiment in the region. "This is a highly sensitive matter," he added, underscoring the potential for political instability.
Questioning Timing and Democratic Fairness
The former chief minister also questioned the Centre's decision to rely on outdated 2011 Census data, calling it unjust to new voters and detrimental to democratic fairness. He pointed out that a fresh census, originally due in 2021, has yet to be conducted, making delimitation based on old data problematic.
Targeting the timing of the bill, Gehlot alleged undue haste. "Is there any emergency that requires such urgency in the middle of elections? Does this not violate the Model Code of Conduct?" he asked, suggesting political motivations behind the push.
Call for Consensus and Consultations
Gehlot further criticised the Centre for not convening an all-party meeting to discuss the bill. "Democracy runs on consensus, not unilateral decisions. The government must consult all stakeholders and take states into confidence," he stated, advocating for a more inclusive approach.
While reiterating support for women's reservation across parties, he flagged delays in conducting the Census and questioned the push for delimitation without updated data. Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully also termed the timing politically motivated, demanding clarity on implementation and calling for wider consultations.
Gehlot's warnings highlight growing tensions over the bill's implementation, with potential implications for federal relations and electoral integrity. The call for updated data and broader consensus underscores the need for careful deliberation in such constitutional matters.
