Women's Quota, Delimitation And FCRA Bills In Focus: Will Parliament Deadlock Break As Monsoon Session Enters Last Week?

With just four days left in the Monsoon session of Parliament, uncertainty looms over key bills concerning women's reservation, delimitation and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), as the deadlock between Opposition and Treasury persists.

As the bills remain contentious, they have not been listed in the Lok Sabha's list of business for Monday.

Notably, the Monsoon session that started on July 20, has seen repeated adjournments over issued like NEET paper leak, Ram Mandir donation theft case, and alleged police brutality on protestors. Little to no legislative business has been conducted so far. The anti-paper leak bill, bills related to Vande Mataram and taxations have been passed by both Houses of Parliament.

While the work was thwarted, commotion remained a routine each day. The Opposition parties, led by Congress, have been demanding a response from Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged police brutality against students protestors on July 20 during march to Parliament. With no easing of the protests, the Monsoon session appears increasingly headed towards an almost complete washout.

Initially, the Opposition had raised the issues of NEET paper leaks and alleged theft of donations at Ram temple. But later the demand was escalated to the presence of PM Modi and Amit Shah in the Houses.

Congress adament against FCRA, delimitation, woman's quota

Although there was willingness from some of the Opposition parties to soften their stance on the women's reservation and delimitation bills following the government's outreach efforts, the Congress has vowed to oppose all three bills.

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Notably, the Constitution Amendment Bill proposes 33 per cent reservation for women from 2029 and a redrawing of Lok Sabha constituencies to increase the strength of the House. It was defeated in April after failing to obtain the required two-thirds majority.

The FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 this year and is scheduled to be taken up for discussion and passage.

"If the central government thinks they can cook up and introduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill within these two or three days, they should keep that wish to themselves," AICC general secretary KC Venugopal said on Sunday.

On FCRA, Venugopal further alleged that the proposed bill was aimed to target minorities and NGOs and asserted that the Opposition would prevent its passage.

"Even if Amit Shah comes to pass this anti-people bill, there is no doubt that he will have to face strong protests in Parliament. This bill is unconstitutional and anti-people. We will not allow such an anti-people and unconstitutional bill to be passed," Venugopal told reporters in Alappuzha, Kerala.

The FCRA legislation proposes significantly tighter supervision of organisations receiving foreign funds. It also seeks to establish a powerful new authority empowered to seize and administer the assets of non-profits whose licences are cancelled. The bill has faced strong resistance from Christian organisations as well as political parties.

Jairam Ramesh recalls 2023 suspension of 146 MPs

On Sunday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also recalled the suspension of 146 MPs during the 2023 Winter Session of Parliament. Asserting that "history should not repeat itself", he said several important laws were subsequently passed with minimal Opposition presence.

Last week, the government made several efforts to reach out to Opposition to secure support for the bills. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju met Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi twice as part of attempts to resolve the deadlock. He had also spoke to Gandhi over the phone.

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According to PTI sources, Rijiju was asked by the LoP to call an all-party meeting on the proposed legislations.

The two leaders also exchanged barbs on social media on Saturday over the women's quota and delimitation bills.

DMK, the second-largest Opposition party in Rajya Sabha with 8 MPs, has refused to support delimitation bill. DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin told a TV news channel on Friday that his party had not supported the delimitation bill in the past and would not support it in the future.

Notably, DMK has severed ties with the INDIA bloc after Congress joined the TVK government in Tamil Nadu. In Lok Sabha, the party has 22 MPs and is the third-largest Opposition party.

However, a sign of relief for the NDA came from former ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). On Saturday, SAD announced its support for the women's reservation and delimitation bills for a uniform 50 per cent increase in seats for states. The Punjab-based party currently has only one Lok Sabha MP.

Congress issues whip

The fight on three key bills is far from seeing an end as the Congress on Friday issued a whip to its MPs in both the Houses, directing them to remain present on August 10, 11 and 12 as "very important" issues are expected to be taken up.

Sources said the party also asked all its INDIA bloc allies to ensure the presence of their MPs on all three days.

(With PTI Inputs)