Indian Parliament may hold special session for women’s reservation

The Indian government is considering convening a special session of Parliament, potentially during the Navaratri festival between October 11 and 20, to advance legislation regarding women’s reservation and delimitation.

Although the Monsoon Session was adjourned sine die on August 13, it has not yet been formally prorogued. This 40-day delay is a record, fueling speculation that the government intends to pass key legislation without calling a brand-new session. The proposed women’s reservation amendment aims to implement representation ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

To address concerns from southern opposition parties regarding potential drops in representation due to population-based delimitation, the government is reportedly considering a flat 50 per cent seat expansion across all states and Union territories. Proponents suggest that holding the session during Navaratri would align with the theme of ‘Nari Shakti’ (woman power) and demonstrate a commitment to women’s empowerment ahead of upcoming state assembly elections.