A wide range of private members’ bills proposing significant legal, policy, and constitutional reforms were introduced in both Houses of Parliament during the ongoing Winter Session. The proposals cover issues including consent-based criminal law reforms, workplace rights, urban employment, and constitutional amendments.
Private members’ bills are legislative proposals introduced by MPs who are not ministers. Historically, only 14 such bills have ever become law, with none passed by both Houses since 1970.
Key Private Members’ Bills Introduced
1. Criminalising Marital Rape
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor introduced a bill seeking to criminalise marital rape, stressing that India must progress from the principle of “no means no” to “only yes means yes.” He stated that marital rape must be recognised as a form of violence requiring urgent legislative action.
Tharoor also introduced:
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A bill to establish a permanent States and Union Territories Reorganisation Commission
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A bill to amend the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020
2. Right to Disconnect After Work Hours
NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule presented the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025, proposing an employees’ welfare authority and granting workers the right to refuse calls or emails beyond official working hours.
Sule also introduced the Paternity and Paternal Benefits Bill, 2025 to secure paid paternal leave and promote equal participation of fathers in early child care.
3. Urban Employment Guarantee
In the Rajya Sabha, TMC leader Derek O’Brien moved a bill to create an urban employment guarantee law, modeled on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
4. Right to Recall Elected Representatives
AAP MP Raghav Chadha introduced a bill allowing citizens to recall elected representatives who fail to perform their duties.
Chadha also proposed amendments to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita to impose stricter punishment for sacrilege of major religious texts.
5. Menstrual Health and Leave
Congress MP Kadiyam Kavya introduced the Menstrual Benefits Bill, 2024, while LJP MP Shambhavi Choudhary introduced a bill providing paid menstrual leave and improved access to menstrual hygiene facilities.
6. Additional Bills Introduced
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Manickam Tagore (Congress): Bill to exempt Tamil Nadu from NEET
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Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK): Bill to abolish the death penalty
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Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil (Independent): Journalist Protection Bill, 2024
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Ganesh Singh (BJP): Bill to permit the use of Hindi in Supreme Court proceedings
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Bhim Singh (BJP): Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeking to remove “socialist” and “secular” from the Preamble
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Sudha Murty (Nominated RS MP): Amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
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Saket Gokhale (TMC): Bill to ensure accurate transcription and public access to court records
Conclusion
The Winter Session, which began on December 2 and will continue until December 19, has witnessed an unusually diverse and ambitious set of private members’ bills. While the likelihood of these proposals becoming law remains historically low, the issues raised highlight significant social, economic, and governance debates shaping India’s policy landscape.
