Guwahati: Protests over the failure of the women's reservation legislation intensified in Assam on Thursday, with the women's wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party taking out a rally in the city targeting the Congress and the INDIA alliance.
The demonstration, led by the party's mahila morcha along with senior leaders, began at Khanapara's Veterinary Field and moved through key parts of Guwahati, drawing a large turnout of women supporters.
Protesters said the march was aimed at opposing what they described as resistance to women's political representation.
Addressing the gathering, state BJP leaders alleged that the Congress had failed to prioritise women's empowerment during its decades in power.
Dilip Saikia said the protest reflected growing public sentiment in favour of reservation.
"Women have come out in large numbers to assert their rights and demand representation," he said, adding that recent initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi have strengthened women's participation across sectors.
Protesters echoed similar views, stating that the rally was meant to send a strong message in support of reservation.
Some participants also criticised the Opposition, alleging that it continued to favour male-dominated political structures.
The protest comes days after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha on April 17.
The proposed legislation sought to introduce 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies from the 2029 general elections.
According to details of the Bill, the total number of Lok Sabha seats was also proposed to be increased from 543 to 816 to facilitate the implementation of the quota following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.