On July 21, 2026, hundreds of women, led by the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), conducted a significant march to Lok Bhawan in Shimla. The demonstrators later moved towards Raj Bhawan, where they presented a memorandum, addressed to both the President and the Prime Minister, through the Governor. This action was part of a broader movement advocating for the urgent implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act.

Concerns Regarding Conditions for Implementation

The AIDWA has expressed concerns regarding the government’s linkage of the Act’s implementation to the completion of the Census and the delimitation process. The organisation has called for the removal of such preconditions, labelling them as obstacles to the enactment of the legislation. The protest coincides with a nationwide campaign where women’s groups urge immediate enforcement of a 33 per cent reservation for women within Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies.

Following the march, Falma Chauhan, AIDWA’s State Secretary, highlighted the coalition’s unified goal of ensuring the Women’s Reservation Act is implemented in its original form. She noted that although the Central Government passed the law in 2023 under the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, its enforcement has been delayed for three years. Chauhan called for immediate action during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

In addition to the memorandum, the protest delegation presented signatures collected from a statewide campaign in Himachal Pradesh. Chauhan stated that they had previously submitted similar memoranda to political parties, advocating for the fulfilment of women’s reservation rights.

Potential Impact of the Act

Chauhan expressed concerns over the potential impact of the Act had it been enforced. She suggested that the current representation of women in Parliament, which stands at 77 MPs, could have been nearly 123 if the law had been fully operational. Similarly, in Himachal Pradesh, only three women currently serve in the Legislative Assembly; had the Act been enacted, this number could have risen to 23 out of 68 members.

Additionally, Chauhan questioned the timeline of the Census and delimitation exercises, asserting that uncertainty over their completion could hinder the Act’s implementation. She suggested that linking the Act’s enforcement to these processes reflects a lack of governmental intent to act swiftly.

The AIDWA spokesperson reiterated that women’s organisations across India would persist with their advocacy efforts until the legislation is enforced. Chauhan noted that women from Himachal Pradesh would participate in a national event in Delhi on August 10, as part of this ongoing struggle.

Statement to Authorities

Chauhan appealed directly to the Governor, urging him to advocate for immediate action from the Central Government. She asserted that women are not seeking generosity but rather exercising their constitutional rights. As nearly half of the country’s population and a significant portion of the electorate, women are demanding their rightful representation.

Chauhan stressed that the Women’s Reservation Act’s immediate implementation, in its original form, is crucial. The protest in Shimla is part of a coordinated effort with women’s organisations nationwide, demanding timely enforcement without any further delays or preconditions.

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