The Women's Reservation Bill has hit a roadblock in the Lok Sabha after the government failed to secure a two-thirds majority in the House.
While 298 members voted in favour of the proposed law, 230 members from the opposition voted against it.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourned the proceedings after the bill failed to meet the required majority.
The defeat has triggered a reaction from the ruling BJP, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah calling the opposition's conduct an 'insult to Nari Shakti'.
The government had introduced the bill to grant 33% reservation to women, but the opposition questioned its intention and rejected the motion.
