Guwahati: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs elected from Lok Sabha constituencies reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) have participated in fewer parliamentary debates than the House average and their party colleagues from non-reserved constituencies, according to an analysis by The Hindu based on PRS Legislative Research’s MP Track data.
The analysis covered the period from June 24, 2024, to August 23, 2026, and excluded ministers. It found that 24 BJP MPs from SC-reserved constituencies participated in an average of 14.67 debates, while 22 MPs from ST-reserved constituencies averaged 13.05 debates.
Together, the 46 BJP MPs from SC/ST-reserved constituencies averaged 13.89 debates, compared with 21.53 debates among 483 sitting MPs. The 145 BJP MPs elected from non-reserved constituencies averaged 19.68 debates, according to the report.
The disparity was also observed across other political parties. SC MPs from reserved constituencies participated in an average of 18.22 debates, compared with 22.15 among their colleagues from non-reserved seats. ST MPs from reserved constituencies averaged 17.67 debates, against 21.91 for their party peers.
Among Congress MPs, those elected from SC-reserved constituencies averaged 19 debates, compared with 23.38 among their colleagues from non-reserved seats. Congress MPs from ST-reserved constituencies, however, averaged 24.42 debates, compared with 22.22 among their other party colleagues.
The findings came shortly after Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking greater speaking opportunities for SC and ST MPs from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
In his letter dated September 16, Manjhi referred to remarks attributed to BJP MP Gajendra Singh Patel, who represents the reserved Khargone constituency in Madhya Pradesh. Patel reportedly said at an NDA parliamentarians’ meeting that SC/ST MPs were not receiving adequate time to speak during discussions on important Bills.
Manjhi urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to take steps to address the issue and ensure greater opportunities for SC and ST MPs to participate in parliamentary debates.