Photo credit: ANI NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday termed the proposed delimitation exercise “political demonetisation” and criticised the Centre for linking implementation of women’s reservation to the expansion of Parliament and constituency redrawing based on the Census.Participating in a Lok Sabha debate on three bills related to amendments in the women’s reservation law and the constitution of a Delimitation Commission, Tharoor said the government had unnecessarily tied a widely supported reform to a highly contentious political process.”Delimitation will turn out to be political demonetisation. Don’t do it,” Tharoor said.He said there was near-unanimous political support across parties for women’s reservation and argued that the measure should be implemented immediately without being made dependent on delimitation.”Today we stand at a threshold where there is near unanimous political consensus in favour of women’s reservation. Every major party realises that the time for tokenism is over and the era of collective partnership must begin and yet I am finding myself deeply perturbed by the legislative exercise before us,” he said.Tharoor referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks supporting women’s representation, but said the proposal had been burdened with unnecessary conditions.”The prime minister says he has brought ‘nari shakti’ the gift of justice but he has wrapped it in barbed wire, tethering the implementation of women’s reservation to the expansion of Parliament, to numbers from the 2011 census and an exercise of delimitation… Why must we entangle a moral imperative with a demographic minefield,” he asked.He said women’s reservation was ready to be enforced on the basis of the current parliamentary strength and did not require waiting for a future restructuring of constituencies.”Women’s reservation, he said, is ready for harvest and can and should be implemented immediately based on existing parliamentary strength.”Warning of the wider political impact of redrawing constituencies, Tharoor said delimitation was not merely an administrative process but a shift in the balance of political power.”Delimitation is not a mere bureaucratic rearranging of maps, it is a profound shift in political power that is intended….Any delimitation exercise is fraught with complications that could tear at the very fabric of our federalism,” he said.He also criticised the speed with which the government was moving the legislation, comparing it to the rushed rollout of demonetisation.”You have proposed delimitation with such haste, the same haste that you showed on demonetisation. Unfortunately, we all know what damage that did to the country. Delimitation will turn out to be political demonetisation. Don’t do it,” Tharoor said.Tharoor added that the opposition supported the principle of women’s reservation but believed it should not be made contingent on a future delimitation process. He called for wider consultations with all political parties, saying both women’s representation and delimitation carried significant consequences for India’s electoral structure and federal balance.The debate took place after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, aimed at modifying the women’s quota law, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday following a division of votes.Two additional ordinary bills, the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, were also introduced to facilitate implementation of the proposed amended women’s quota law in the Union Territories of Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir.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. 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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’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 UNGA’Pakistan’s Role Discussed’: Shashi Tharoor On Foreign Secretary Briefing On West Asia Conflict‘I Am Warning Govt’: AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi Says Delimitation Could Become ‘Permanent Wound’’Never Be Forgiven’: PM Modi Dares Opposition On Women Quota Bill, Priyanka Gandhi Questions Timing‘Won’t Reduce South’s Share’: Amit Shah Clarifies On Delimitation, Calls Oppn Claims ‘Misleading’Hal’s Light Utility Helicopter Explained: Specs, Altitude Edge And Why It Matters123PhotostoriesApril 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 SchemeRicky Ponting’s ₹173 crore ‘trophy home’ in Toorak, Melbourne screams luxury with a private tennis court, designer pool, and cricket memorabilia10 unforgettable souvenirs from Nepal trip that capture the spirit of the Himalayas7 places where nature’s loudest sounds can be heardChef Ranveer Brar appointed Odisha Brand Ambassador: What makes Odisha’s Temple Cuisine so sacred and special12 research-backed habits highly intelligent people avoid but most people do every day5 Japanese wisdom quotes to help kids stay strong and keep goingViswanathan Anand’s Chennai home: A blend of simplicity, legacy, and chess8 rare baby boy names that start with the letter ‘K’123Hot PicksIran warWipro buyback planPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingNashik TCSAmir HamzaDelhi Brigadier Assualt CaseMadhya Pradesh Rape NewsPriyanka GandhiUK Flea Treatment RulesAlex ManningerCody RhodesCharlie Kirk ControversyTiger Woods
NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday termed the proposed delimitation exercise “political demonetisation” and criticised the Centre for linking implementation of women’s reservation to the expansion of Parliament and constituency redrawing based on the Census.Participating in a Lok Sabha debate on three bills related to amendments in the women’s reservation law and the constitution of a Delimitation Commission, Tharoor said the government had unnecessarily tied a widely supported reform to a highly contentious political process.“Delimitation will turn out to be political demonetisation. Don’t do it,” Tharoor said.He said there was near-unanimous political support across parties for women’s reservation and argued that the measure should be implemented immediately without being made dependent on delimitation.“Today we stand at a threshold where there is near unanimous political consensus in favour of women’s reservation. Every major party realises that the time for tokenism is over and the era of collective partnership must begin and yet I am finding myself deeply perturbed by the legislative exercise before us,” he said.Tharoor referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks supporting women’s representation, but said the proposal had been burdened with unnecessary conditions.“The prime minister says he has brought ‘nari shakti’ the gift of justice but he has wrapped it in barbed wire, tethering the implementation of women’s reservation to the expansion of Parliament, to numbers from the 2011 census and an exercise of delimitation… Why must we entangle a moral imperative with a demographic minefield,” he asked.He said women’s reservation was ready to be enforced on the basis of the current parliamentary strength and did not require waiting for a future restructuring of constituencies.“Women’s reservation, he said, is ready for harvest and can and should be implemented immediately based on existing parliamentary strength.”Warning of the wider political impact of redrawing constituencies, Tharoor said delimitation was not merely an administrative process but a shift in the balance of political power.“Delimitation is not a mere bureaucratic rearranging of maps, it is a profound shift in political power that is intended….Any delimitation exercise is fraught with complications that could tear at the very fabric of our federalism,” he said.He also criticised the speed with which the government was moving the legislation, comparing it to the rushed rollout of demonetisation.“You have proposed delimitation with such haste, the same haste that you showed on demonetisation. Unfortunately, we all know what damage that did to the country. Delimitation will turn out to be political demonetisation. Don’t do it,” Tharoor said.Tharoor added that the opposition supported the principle of women’s reservation but believed it should not be made contingent on a future delimitation process. He called for wider consultations with all political parties, saying both women’s representation and delimitation carried significant consequences for India’s electoral structure and federal balance.The debate took place after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, aimed at modifying the women’s quota law, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday following a division of votes.Two additional ordinary bills, the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, were also introduced to facilitate implementation of the proposed amended women’s quota law in the Union Territories of Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir.
