“No Conditionalities”: Feminist Activists Demand Immediate Women’s Reservation Without Delimitation, Census

New Delhi- Feminist activists and political leaders have strongly demanded the immediate implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023, delinked from census and delimitation exercises. They asserted that 33% reservation for women can be ensured within the current strength of Parliament and State Assemblies, without any conditionalities that could expand seats or alter the federal structure of the country.

At a well-attended online press conference organised by the National Coalition for Women’s Reservation (NCWR) today, speakers warned that any attempt by the Union Government to link women’s reservation with delimitation and seat expansion would be resisted unitedly by secular and progressive forces. They condemned repeated efforts to weaponise the long-pending legislation for political gains, including gerrymandering and undermining federalism.

The press conference highlighted that despite the passage of the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act in 2023 after nearly four decades of struggle, women’s representation in Parliament remains at only 14-16%, and around 10% in state assemblies. Representation of women from marginalised backgrounds - OBCs, NT-DNT communities, religious minorities, transgender and nonbinary persons, women with disabilities, is negligible. The Act itself excludes many of these identities.

Shashi Yadav, MLC, Bihar Assembly (CPI-ML & AIPWA), criticised the reliance on political parties practising “parivarvaad” (dynastic politics) for ensuring inclusion. “Leaving inclusion to political parties that are all practicing ‘parivarvaad’ betrays the claimed intention of the Government to ensure that marginalized women including OBC and transgender women do not come into politics,” she said.

Akkai Padmashali from the Trans Feminist Collective pointed out the complete absence of transgender representation. “In the Legislature of this world’s biggest democracy there is not a single person who represents the transgender community which constitutes 4-5% of the population,” she stated.

Anita Cheria from the Indian Christian Women’s Movement emphasised that feminist politics is about transformation beyond numbers. “Speaking as a woman, a feminist, and located in a minority community that has enjoyed both prominence and vulnerability, while 33% is non-negotiable, the recognition of marginalised identities is just as important,” she said.

Hasina Khan of Bebaak Collective, Mumbai, called for a comprehensive socio-economic lens on the lived experiences of religious minorities rather than a communal one. She stressed that diversity in reservations is crucial for dismantling privilege.

Abhirami Jotheeswaran from the All-India Dalit Mahila Adhikaar Manch highlighted the exclusion of Dalit women despite existing SC/ST reservations. “Yes SC/ST communities are getting reservations within the Parliament but women from these communities continue to be excluded from real decision making. Today violence against women from the SC/ST and minority communities is systemic but is this being raised in the Parliament? We need to be present to hold the State accountable,” she asserted.

Elina Horo from the Adivasi Women's Network and Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha spoke of the unique contributions Adivasi women can bring through their nature-connected perspectives to policy-making.

Prof. Kusumam Joseph shared insights from five years of work by the Equal Rights Movement in Kerala for inclusive participation in reservation discourse. Beena Pallical of the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) reaffirmed the importance of intersectionality within reservations and extended solidarity to women and trans persons from marginalised backgrounds.

The event was moderated by Mona Mishra, feminist activist from the All-India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA – NAPM). She presented the 5-point demand charter of the NCWR.

Speakers noted that one attempt to link reservation with delimitation was foiled by combined opposition in April 2026, but the NDA is now intensifying efforts to build support for such a Bill. They demanded that the arbitrary linking with census and delimitation be ended through a constitutional amendment. The coalition affirmed its commitment to decentralised federalism and opposition to patriarchal centralism.

The press conference was attended by media persons and feminists from across the country. Participants shared updates on ongoing state-level campaigns and future plans to strengthen the movement.

Key Demands in Memorandum to Elected Representatives

The Memorandum urges elected representatives to seek the following amendments to the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, for immediate implementation:

1. Delink women’s reservation from seat expansion, the Census and delimitation by removing all references to the latter from Clause 3 of the Constitution (106th amendment) and Articles 334(1) and (3).

2. Ensure federal rights by inserting a new clause to distribute the 33% seats according to the current States’ share of total seats.

3. Provide for reservation of seats for vulnerable and marginalized women, such as OBCs, nomadic and de-notified tribes, religious minorities, transgender and nonbinary persons, by inserting a new clause saying all future reservations will automatically apply in the 106th amendment.

4. Ensure a transparent and participatory process for identification of the first 33% seats by inserting a new clause specifying that seat selection will be conducted along the lines of the method used by Panchayati Raj institutions, with key changes (no draw, only alphabetical system; review by State Commissions with involvement of women’s groups and rights advocates).

5. The amendments suggested to the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act 2023 can be presented in a single Amendment Bill. Separately, Parliament should consider an amendment to The Representation of People Act to provide for election campaign funding for vulnerable and marginalized groups.

The National Coalition for Women’s Reservation has called upon all progressive forces to support these demands during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.