Rajasthan Assembly Removes Two-Child Norm for Urban Local Body Elections
JAIPUR: In a significant policy shift, the Rajasthan Assembly on Tuesday passed the Rajasthan Municipal (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by voice vote, effectively removing the three-decade-old restriction that barred individuals with more than two children from contesting elections to urban local bodies. This move comes just one day after the Assembly eliminated the same provision for panchayat elections, marking a comprehensive overhaul of population control measures in local governance.
Minister Cites Changing Circumstances and Democratic Principles
Urban Development Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra, while presenting the bill, stated that the earlier provision had "lost its relevance" in contemporary times. "The restriction was originally imposed to control population growth. However, with increasing awareness among the public and changing circumstances, the rule has become outdated. In line with democratic principles, it has now been amended," Kharra explained to the House during the session.
Kharra also addressed another critical issue affecting municipal elections: the delay caused by the absence of official data on the population of Other Backward Classes (OBCs). He noted that the Supreme Court had directed state OBC commissions to provide authenticated demographic data before political reservation could be implemented in urban local bodies. "Once the official figures are approved by the state government, political reservation for OBCs in urban local bodies can be ensured," Kharra assured the Assembly.
Historical Context and Previous Day's Legislation
On Monday, the Assembly had already passed the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which removed the identical two-child norm that disqualified candidates with more than two children from contesting elections to Panchayati Raj institutions. That bill was also cleared by voice vote, indicating broad legislative support for the policy change.
The controversial two-child rule was originally introduced approximately thirty years ago during the BJP government led by Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. The legislation disqualified individuals with more than two children from contesting elections to both Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies, positioning it as a population control measure.
Government's Rationale: Education and Awareness
Panchayati Raj Minister Madan Dilawar, while replying to the debate, provided further justification for the amendment. He explained that the provision was introduced during an era when the government sought to curb rapid population growth through legislative means. "However, circumstances have since changed dramatically due to greater awareness and the spread of education, particularly among women," Dilawar emphasized.
"Considering the present circumstances, the provision has lost its relevance," the minister stated, adding that the amendment would enable those previously disqualified under the rule to contest elections and actively participate in grassroots democracy. This move is expected to expand the pool of eligible candidates for local governance positions across Rajasthan.
Opposition Criticism and Political Debate
The policy reversal drew immediate criticism from the Opposition, with State Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra leading the charge. Dotasra questioned the fundamental premise behind removing the population control measure, asking, "The intention behind this law was population control. Is population control no longer necessary now?"
Dotasra further accused the government of making a policy reversal motivated by personal interests, alleging that some leaders wanted the rule removed because they themselves had more than two children. This accusation added a political dimension to what was presented as a policy modernization effort.
Government's Counter-Argument and Historical Precedent
In response to the criticism, Minister Dilawar pointed to historical precedent, noting that the Congress party had previously removed provisions that denied promotions to government employees with more than two children during its tenure in power. "We are not taking a U-turn. The provision has simply outlived its relevance, and therefore it is being removed," Dilawar asserted, framing the amendment as a logical evolution rather than a political reversal.
The comprehensive removal of the two-child norm from both panchayat and municipal election criteria represents a significant shift in Rajasthan's approach to population control and local governance eligibility. The government's position emphasizes changing social dynamics and educational advancements as justification for the policy change, while the Opposition maintains concerns about abandoning population control objectives.
