Rahul expresses regret on Cong not including OBCs in women's bill

Rahul Gandhi regrets the Congress party's failure in passing the Women's Reservation Bill back in 2010. Addressing the media in New dlhi on Friday, Gandhi said, a day after the Bill passed in the Rajya Sabha 13 years after it had passed in the Upper House the first time. Gandhi said his party has "100% regret" right after he called out the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for delaying the implementation of the Bill for a period of six years. Gandhi also acknowledged that had his party accepted the erstwhile demand of a quota for women from OBC communities, the Bill would have become a reality 10 years ago.

The Women's Reservation Bill is great, but we received two footnotes stating that Census and Delimitation exercise need to be done, which could take years. The truth is, it could be implemented today. This delay is unnecessary, and it's a distraction tactic by the government.… pic.twitter.com/TIXqMVZM96

— Congress (@INCIndia) September 22, 2023

The call for a quota within a quota for OBC women was made by the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal in 2010, when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government had tabled its version of the bill. The Congress rejected that demand and a furious SP and RJD withdrew support. The bill, which had already cleared the Rajya Sabha, never made it to the Lok Sabha.The BJP has hit back by pointing out the Congress' inability to pass this bill and told Parliament Thursday the delay is to ensure "transparency" in deciding which seats are to be reserved.

Amid the India-Canada diplomatic row, the Congress reiterated that the fight against terrorism has to be uncompromising and called for "intensive diplomatic engagement" to resolve the "serious crisis" while ensuring security of Indians in that country. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also asserted that the security of thousands of Indian students and professionals studying and working in Canada must be protected at all times.