Chennai: Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan has urged the Centre to convene a special session of Parliament to ensure the immediate passage of a Private Member’s Bill seeking 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Kamal Haasan said that women’s political empowerment should not face further delays and called for swift implementation of the long-pending demand for reservation. He argued that equal representation of women in legislative bodies is essential for strengthening Indian democracy and ensuring inclusive governance.
Haasan stressed that the government should treat the issue as a national priority and avoid procedural delays that could postpone meaningful reform. He suggested that a special Parliament session would demonstrate political will and help build consensus across party lines.
The actor-turned-politician has consistently supported women’s reservation but has also raised concerns over the structure of the current proposal. In earlier remarks, he had said that the true benefit of reservation would be achieved only if it is implemented without diluting existing political representation patterns, and not delayed through administrative conditions.
His latest appeal comes amid ongoing national debate over the implementation of the 33% women’s reservation law, which has been under discussion for years and recently saw renewed political activity in Parliament. The legislation is widely viewed as a landmark step toward increasing women’s participation in Indian politics.
According to parliamentary sources, discussions around women’s reservation have been closely tied to broader constitutional and electoral reforms, including delimitation and seat allocation changes. This has led to differing views among political parties on how and when the reservation should be enforced.
Supporters of the bill argue that it will significantly improve gender representation in decision-making roles, while critics have raised concerns about its implementation framework and timing.
Haasan’s statement adds to the growing pressure on the Centre from various political leaders and civil society groups demanding faster action. As debates continue, the issue of women’s reservation remains one of the most closely watched political developments in the country.
