VIBHA SHARMANew Delhi, April 18 -- If the Narendra Modi government was aware, as Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi claimed, that the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill would fail in the Lok Sabha due to insufficient numbers on the Treasury benches to meet the special division requirement, why did it then introduce it?The fact is that even a "doomed" bill can serve multiple purposes beyond becoming law-agenda-setting, shifting discourse, drawing attention to key issues, and normalising policy ideas over time. Observers say there are several practical and political reasons for introducing such a bill despite a likely defeat.
First is the intent. By tabling the bill, the government demonstrated to its supporters-in this case, women who a...