Parliament's monsoon session stays open as BJP, Congress clash over women's bill

The monsoon session of the Indian Parliament remains in progress, with no decision yet to prorogue the sitting. Lawmakers continue to deliberate on a range of bills, but the spotlight is on a proposed women's legislation that aims to strengthen safeguards for gender equality.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress have entered a heated debate over the bill's provisions. While the BJP argues that the draft already offers sufficient protection and could burden businesses, the Congress contends that key clauses are weak and call for broader affirmative measures.

Both parties claim commitment to women's empowerment, yet their disagreement centers on issues such as reservation quotas in corporate boards and the scope of legal penalties for gender‑based violence. The standoff has delayed consensus, leaving the bill pending as the session progresses.

Parliamentary officials have indicated that the continuation of the monsoon session will depend on the resolution of such contentious bills, underscoring the political significance of the women's legislation in the current legislative calendar.