BJP directs all MPs to be present during special Parliament session as debate over Women’s Reservation Bill intensifies.
April 12, 2026: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday issued a three-line whip to all its Members of Parliament in both Houses, mandating their presence from April 16 to 18 during a special Parliament session. The directive makes attendance compulsory, with no leave permitted, as crucial discussions are scheduled to take place.
The session will focus on the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, which aims to provide reservation for women in legislatures. The government is reportedly planning key amendments, including proceeding with the 2011 Census data for implementation due to delays in conducting a fresh census.
Meanwhile, Mallikarjun Kharge has raised concerns over the timing and process, writing to Narendra Modi and urging an all-party meeting. He criticised the government for calling the special session without adequate consultation and flagged the lack of clarity on delimitation, warning that meaningful discussion would be difficult without details.
The development has intensified the political debate, with the Opposition accusing the government of rushing the process during ongoing elections, while the ruling party maintains that the move is aimed at strengthening democracy and advancing women’s representation.