Kiren Rijiju and Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha NEW DELHI: A heated exchange broke out in the Lok Sabha between leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union minister Kiren Rijiju during the Congress MP’s speech on the Women’s Reservation Bill.Rijiju intervened when Gandhi, in his address, accused the BJP-led Centre of attempting to sidestep granting power and representation to OBCs.“It is a historical fact how Indian society treated Dalits, OBCs and their women… What is being attempted here is a bypass of the caste census. They are trying to avoid giving power and representation to my OBC brothers and sisters and instead take power away from them,” Gandhi said.Rijiju interjected, alleging that Gandhi’s father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, had opposed OBC reservation both during his time in power and when out of power.He also questioned why the Congress, despite ruling the country for nearly 60 years, did not grant constitutional reservation to OBCs.“When Congress ruled this country for more than 60 years, why did it not provide constitutional reservation for OBCs? The Congress has to answer,” the parliamentary affairs minister stated.“When Rajiv Gandhi was prime minister—and even otherwise—he opposed OBC reservation. Can Rahul Gandhi explain why?” Rijiju asked.Earlier, Gandhi accused the government of attempting to alter India’s electoral landscape by linking women’s reservation to delimitation, asserting that the opposition would not allow the bill to pass.His remarks came ahead of voting in the Lok Sabha on the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposes increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats to 850.. While the ruling NDA, with 293 MPs, holds a majority in the 545-member House, it requires a two-thirds majority to pass the legislation.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’PM Modi Doing Nautanki’: TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee Targets Govt Over Women Quota BillIndia, Pakistan Held Four Backchannel Meetings After Operation Sindoor Despite Frozen Ties: ReportMystery Killings Or Covert Strike? India’s Most Wanted Terror Figures In Pakistan Fall One By One‘Home Minister Says One Thing, Bill Says Another’: MP Kanimozhi Slams Delimitation Move As DMK ProtestsFrom WhatsApp Groups To Arson: How Noida Workers’ Protest Turned Violent Amid Pakistan Links’Political Demonetisation’: Shashi Tharoor Blasts Govt For Linking Women Quota To DelimitationRed Fort Blast Probe Twist: White Collar Module Used JeM Name To Mask Bigger Terror Revival PlanPakistan Reacts After India’s Delimitation Bill Includes Pakistan-Occupied Jammu & KashmirTCS Nashik Row Takes Twist As Accused’s Kin Calls Case Scripted, Alleges Bajrang Dal’s Involvement’International Law Must Be Respected’: India Urges Restoration Of Safe Navigation In Hormuz At UNGA123PhotostoriesTop 5 iconic towers dominating global skylines and redefining luxury real estateTop 7 baby girl names inspired by VenusVirat Kohli in spotlight: Another ‘accidental like’? Cricketer likes model Liz Laz’s post, Avneet Kaur controversy resurfaces – all you need to knowYour love story inspired by Hindu mythological couples; based on your birth dateSonam Kapoor turns comeback into couture in molten gold Tamara Ralph ensemble, and suddenly style has a benchmark again10 iconic animals from the Amazon RainforestMumbai to get more AC local trains as Central Railway set to cross 100-trip markFrom a net worth of around Rs 90 crore to a luxurious house in Mumbai- Shweta Tiwari’s lavish lifestyleApril New Moon 2026: Manifest your desires on New Moon night; based on your numberImportance of food safety and hygiene: 9 key guidelines for school level kitchens under Mid-Day Meal Scheme123Hot PicksIran warWipro buyback planPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingNashik TCSAmir HamzaDelhi Brigadier Assualt CaseMadhya Pradesh Rape NewsDelhi WeatherAyaan AhmedMunawar FaruquiNashik TCS CaseDelhi TrafficTiger Woods

Kiren Rijiju and Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha NEW DELHI: A heated exchange broke out in the Lok Sabha between leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union minister Kiren Rijiju during the Congress MP’s speech on the Women’s Reservation Bill.Rijiju intervened when Gandhi, in his address, accused the BJP-led Centre of attempting to sidestep granting power and representation to OBCs.“It is a historical fact how Indian society treated Dalits, OBCs and their women… What is being attempted here is a bypass of the caste census. They are trying to avoid giving power and representation to my OBC brothers and sisters and instead take power away from them,” Gandhi said.Rijiju interjected, alleging that Gandhi’s father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, had opposed OBC reservation both during his time in power and when out of power.He also questioned why the Congress, despite ruling the country for nearly 60 years, did not grant constitutional reservation to OBCs.“When Congress ruled this country for more than 60 years, why did it not provide constitutional reservation for OBCs? The Congress has to answer,” the parliamentary affairs minister stated.“When Rajiv Gandhi was prime minister—and even otherwise—he opposed OBC reservation. Can Rahul Gandhi explain why?” Rijiju asked.Earlier, Gandhi accused the government of attempting to alter India’s electoral landscape by linking women’s reservation to delimitation, asserting that the opposition would not allow the bill to pass.His remarks came ahead of voting in the Lok Sabha on the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposes increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats to 850.. While the ruling NDA, with 293 MPs, holds a majority in the 545-member House, it requires a two-thirds majority to pass the legislation.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’PM Modi Doing Nautanki’: TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee Targets Govt Over Women Quota BillIndia, Pakistan Held Four Backchannel Meetings After Operation Sindoor Despite Frozen Ties: ReportMystery Killings Or Covert Strike? India’s Most Wanted Terror Figures In Pakistan Fall One By One‘Home Minister Says One Thing, Bill Says Another’: MP Kanimozhi Slams Delimitation Move As DMK ProtestsFrom WhatsApp Groups To Arson: How Noida Workers’ Protest Turned Violent Amid Pakistan Links’Political Demonetisation’: Shashi Tharoor Blasts Govt For Linking Women Quota To DelimitationRed Fort Blast Probe Twist: White Collar Module Used JeM Name To Mask Bigger Terror Revival PlanPakistan Reacts After India’s Delimitation Bill Includes Pakistan-Occupied Jammu & KashmirTCS Nashik Row Takes Twist As Accused’s Kin Calls Case Scripted, Alleges Bajrang Dal’s Involvement’International Law Must Be Respected’: India Urges Restoration Of Safe Navigation In Hormuz At UNGA123PhotostoriesTop 5 iconic towers dominating global skylines and redefining luxury real estateTop 7 baby girl names inspired by VenusVirat Kohli in spotlight: Another ‘accidental like’? Cricketer likes model Liz Laz’s post, Avneet Kaur controversy resurfaces – all you need to knowYour love story inspired by Hindu mythological couples; based on your birth dateSonam Kapoor turns comeback into couture in molten gold Tamara Ralph ensemble, and suddenly style has a benchmark again10 iconic animals from the Amazon RainforestMumbai to get more AC local trains as Central Railway set to cross 100-trip markFrom a net worth of around Rs 90 crore to a luxurious house in Mumbai- Shweta Tiwari’s lavish lifestyleApril New Moon 2026: Manifest your desires on New Moon night; based on your numberImportance of food safety and hygiene: 9 key guidelines for school level kitchens under Mid-Day Meal Scheme123Hot PicksIran warWipro buyback planPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingNashik TCSAmir HamzaDelhi Brigadier Assualt CaseMadhya Pradesh Rape NewsDelhi WeatherAyaan AhmedMunawar FaruquiNashik TCS CaseDelhi TrafficTiger Woods


‘Govt taking away their power’ vs ‘Why Rajiv Gandhi opposed’: Rahul–Rijiju clash over OBCs during women’s quota–delimitation debate
Kiren Rijiju and Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI: A heated exchange broke out in the Lok Sabha between leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union minister Kiren Rijiju during the Congress MP’s speech on the Women’s Reservation Bill.Rijiju intervened when Gandhi, in his address, accused the BJP-led Centre of attempting to sidestep granting power and representation to OBCs.“It is a historical fact how Indian society treated Dalits, OBCs and their women… What is being attempted here is a bypass of the caste census. They are trying to avoid giving power and representation to my OBC brothers and sisters and instead take power away from them,” Gandhi said.Rijiju interjected, alleging that Gandhi’s father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, had opposed OBC reservation both during his time in power and when out of power.He also questioned why the Congress, despite ruling the country for nearly 60 years, did not grant constitutional reservation to OBCs.“When Congress ruled this country for more than 60 years, why did it not provide constitutional reservation for OBCs? The Congress has to answer,” the parliamentary affairs minister stated.“When Rajiv Gandhi was prime minister—and even otherwise—he opposed OBC reservation. Can Rahul Gandhi explain why?” Rijiju asked.Earlier, Gandhi accused the government of attempting to alter India’s electoral landscape by linking women’s reservation to delimitation, asserting that the opposition would not allow the bill to pass.His remarks came ahead of voting in the Lok Sabha on the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposes increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats to 850.. While the ruling NDA, with 293 MPs, holds a majority in the 545-member House, it requires a two-thirds majority to pass the legislation.



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