Rahul Gandhi Spars With Kiren Rijiju Over Women’s Quota And Employment

Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju engaged in a heated exchange on social media platform X regarding the implementation of the 2023 Women's Reservation Law. Gandhi demanded that the government implement the quota immediately and unconditionally, without linking it to the completion of a new census or the delimitation exercise. In response, Rijiju highlighted a 'visible change of heart' from the Congress party, noting that the bill had already been passed by the Parliament and that the current procedural requirements were part of the established legal framework.

Parallel to the digital spar, Rahul Gandhi addressed the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event in Prayagraj, where he sharply criticized the Central government over the rising unemployment rate. Using the slogan 'Dard, Data, Daulat,' Gandhi argued that the youth are India's biggest strength but are currently being held back by a dishonest system where educational degrees have lost their value. He claimed that the government is using administrative force to silence the voices of students who are demanding fair employment opportunities and paper-leak-free examinations.

The ongoing debate centers on the timeline for granting 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. While the government maintains that delimitation is a necessary constitutional precursor to ensure fair seat distribution, the Opposition views this as a delaying tactic. Gandhi’s focus on 'data' suggests a renewed push for a caste census to align 'daulat' (wealth) and opportunities with the actual population demographics. These developments signal a strengthening of the Opposition's strategy to bridge gender-based policy demands with youth economic anxieties ahead of the upcoming legislative sessions.