India, April 17 -- In September 2023, a special session of Parliament enacted the Women's Reservation Bill with near unanimity: In the Lok Sabha, 454 members voted in its favour while a mere two legislators opposed the bill. The broad consensus in favour of reserving 33% of seats in Parliament and legislatures for women was a coming-of-age moment for the House and the nation; it was a welcome acceptance of the principle that women, who constitute half the population, should have a greater say in the republic's highest forum for deliberation and policy-making. It was then decided that the women's quota would be introduced after the census and delimitation of constituencies, in deference to the process outlined in the Constitution. In effec...