The debate sparked by Sonia Gandhi’s recent article on women’s reservation reflects a familiar pattern in Indian policymaking — where long-overdue structural reforms are questioned less on substance and more on process. A closer reading of the criticism directed at the Modi government suggests that much of it rests on mischaracterisation rather than fact.

Delimitation as ‘the real issue’: A flawed premise

The attempt to frame delimitation as the “real issue”, distinct from women’s reservation, is fundamentally misplaced. Delimitation is not a political choice but a constitutional necessity, intended to ensure that representation reflects current demographic realities. Periodic recalibration of constituencies is intrinsic to democratic fairness. To argue that linking women’s reservation with this process creates uncertainty is to overlook this constitutional logic. On the contrary, integrating women’s reservation with delimitation ensures structural coherence. Implementing reservation on an outdated constituency framework would risk distortion and imbalance. Aligning the two processes strengthens institutional credibility and ensures that representation is both fair and contemporary.

The charge of “politicisation” is equally unconvincing. The Indian National Congress itself presided over years of indecision on women’s reservation and failed to bring any clarity to delimitation-related questions. To now describe a structured approach as “uncertain” appears less like concern and more like retrospective justification.

At its core, delimitation is about fairness. Integrating women’s reservation into this........

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