‘Parliament making history’: PM Modi says special session to end decades of wait for women’s reservation

Addressing the Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan, PM Modi said India is on the verge of one of the most important decisions of the 21st century as the upcoming special Parliament session aims to finalise the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday declared that Parliament is on the verge of “making history”, as a special session prepares to discuss crucial amendments to the Women’s Reservation Act, officially known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

Addressing the Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan in Delhi, PM Modi said the upcoming session is set to conclude a “decades-long wait” for women’s political representation. “The country will take one of the most important decisions of the 21st century. This decision is dedicated to nari shakti,” he said.

“A new history that will make the visions of the past a reality, and will fulfil the resolutions of the future… an India…where social justice is not just a slogan, but a natural part of our work culture and decision-making process. From Vidhan Sabhas in the states to Parliament, decades of wait will end on (April) 16, 17, 18,” he said.

“The credit goes to the country’s matrushakti (mother power), to all MPs, and to all political parties,” Modi said. “Everybody who has been working on it for the past three decades…credit goes to all of them. This is with everybody’s collaboration, and for everybody’s benefit.”

He recently reached out to floor leaders across party lines to seek their support, emphasising that social justice in India is shifting from a “slogan” to a natural part of the “work culture”.

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which provides one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, was passed in 2023. However, the proposed amendments are essential to clear the path for their implementation, starting with the 2029 general elections.

PM Modi said that through the Nari Shakti Vandan event, he was seeking the blessings of the “mothers and sisters of the country”. He congratulated the women of the country on entering a “new era”.

“In a democratic system, the need for reservations for women was felt for decades. Everybody felt the need, and there were discussions. Four decades have passed in this deliberation… the efforts of all parties and many generations are involved. Every party has tried to take this idea forward in their own way,” he said.

“Even in 2023, when the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was introduced, every party unanimously supported it. In one voice, they stated that it should, under all circumstances, be implemented by 2029. Everyone agreed on this point. While the legislation has been passed, it has not yet been implemented. Opposition members specifically emphasised that it should be in effect by 2029,” said Modi.

PM Modi said the matter raised by the Opposition is serious and that the government is keeping the 2029 deadline in mind. “From April 16 onwards, there will be a detailed discussion in Parliament. It is our effort and priority that this time also, this work will be done through discussion, collaboration, and participation,” he added.

PM Modi said the passage of the Act has elevated the Parliament’s pride, and its dignity will soar to new heights through collective efforts. He added that every woman in the country will feel positive knowing that all political parties came together, putting aside their differences, to make this important decision for their welfare.

He said that a good example of women’s leadership is seen in Panchayati Raj institutions. “Over 14 lakh women are successfully working in local government bodies. In 21 states, their participation in panchayats is close to 50 per cent. When I speak to foreign guests about this, they are surprised by these numbers. This is not an ordinary matter. The participation of lakhs of women in politics and social life surprises the world’s leaders and experts on politics.”

Implementing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam will provide opportunities for women and make their journey from panchayats to Parliament easier, the Prime Minister said. He referred to initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, and the Ujjwala Yojana, to say that from 2014 onwards, the government “is serving the country’s sisters and daughters through schemes that support them from their first breath to their last”.

“The country is now looking to take its democracy to new heights,” PM Modi said, before appealing to women across the country to tell their MPs about their aspirations and opinions.

“We need to take these discussions to every village. It is important to inform each woman in the country about this significant decision. We must ensure they understand the power of this choice and their role in it.”

Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi referred to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam as a “revolutionary change”.

“In the past three decades, there have been many attempts… but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has turned it into a reality,” she said.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta requested the women at the event to give a missed call on a number to mark their support for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday declared that Parliament is on the verge of “making history”, as a special session prepares to discuss crucial amendments to the Women’s Reservation Act, officially known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

Addressing the Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan in Delhi, PM Modi said the upcoming session is set to conclude a “decades-long wait” for women’s political representation. “The country will take one of the most important decisions of the 21st century. This decision is dedicated to nari shakti,” he said.

“A new history that will make the visions of the past a reality, and will fulfil the resolutions of the future… an India…where social justice is not just a slogan, but a natural part of our work culture and decision-making process. From Vidhan Sabhas in the states to Parliament, decades of wait will end on (April) 16, 17, 18,” he said.

“The credit goes to the country’s matrushakti (mother power), to all MPs, and to all political parties,” Modi said. “Everybody who has been working on it for the past three decades…credit goes to all of them. This is with everybody’s collaboration, and for everybody’s benefit.”

He recently reached out to floor leaders across party lines to seek their support, emphasising that social justice in India is shifting from a “slogan” to a natural part of the “work culture”.

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which provides one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, was passed in 2023. However, the proposed amendments are essential to clear the path for their implementation, starting with the 2029 general elections.

PM Modi said that through the Nari Shakti Vandan event, he was seeking the blessings of the “mothers and sisters of the country”. He congratulated the women of the country on entering a “new era”.

“In a democratic system, the need for reservations for women was felt for decades. Everybody felt the need, and there were discussions. Four decades have passed in this deliberation… the efforts of all parties and many generations are involved. Every party has tried to take this idea forward in their own way,” he said.

“Even in 2023, when the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was introduced, every party unanimously supported it. In one voice, they stated that it should, under all circumstances, be implemented by 2029. Everyone agreed on this point. While the legislation has been passed, it has not yet been implemented. Opposition members specifically emphasised that it should be in effect by 2029,” said Modi.

PM Modi said the matter raised by the Opposition is serious and that the government is keeping the 2029 deadline in mind. “From April 16 onwards, there will be a detailed discussion in Parliament. It is our effort and priority that this time also, this work will be done through discussion, collaboration, and participation,” he added.

PM Modi said the passage of the Act has elevated the Parliament’s pride, and its dignity will soar to new heights through collective efforts. He added that every woman in the country will feel positive knowing that all political parties came together, putting aside their differences, to make this important decision for their welfare.

He said that a good example of women’s leadership is seen in Panchayati Raj institutions. “Over 14 lakh women are successfully working in local government bodies. In 21 states, their participation in panchayats is close to 50 per cent. When I speak to foreign guests about this, they are surprised by these numbers. This is not an ordinary matter. The participation of lakhs of women in politics and social life surprises the world’s leaders and experts on politics.”

Implementing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam will provide opportunities for women and make their journey from panchayats to Parliament easier, the Prime Minister said. He referred to initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, and the Ujjwala Yojana, to say that from 2014 onwards, the government “is serving the country’s sisters and daughters through schemes that support them from their first breath to their last”.

“The country is now looking to take its democracy to new heights,” PM Modi said, before appealing to women across the country to tell their MPs about their aspirations and opinions.

“We need to take these discussions to every village. It is important to inform each woman in the country about this significant decision. We must ensure they understand the power of this choice and their role in it.”

Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi referred to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam as a “revolutionary change”.

“In the past three decades, there have been many attempts… but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has turned it into a reality,” she said.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta requested the women at the event to give a missed call on a number to mark their support for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.