New Delhi: India stands on the brink of making one of the most significant decisions of the 21st century as Parliament meets to end “decades of waiting” by amending the Women’s Reservation Act for its implementation in 2029, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.
Addressing a conference of women here ahead of the three-day special sitting of the Parliament beginning April 16, Modi said that the amendment to the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ will realise the visions of the past and fulfil the resolutions of the future, as he hailed the contributions of women in governance and asserted that many of them are ready and eager for bigger roles.
“Our country’s Parliament is close to creating a new history.
A new history that will realise the visions of the past; that will fulfil the resolutions of the future.
A resolve for an India that is egalitarian, where social justice is not merely a slogan, but a natural part of our work culture, our decision-making process,” he said.
He also said that when the law was introduced in 2023, it was passed unanimously by all parties and there was a collective demand, particularly from the opposition, for its implementation by 2029.
The Prime Minister said that from the state assemblies to the country’s Parliament, the time to end decades of waiting is April 16, 17, and 18, when the extended Budget session has been scheduled for the consideration and passage of the amendments.
“In 2023, in the new Parliament, we took the first step in the form of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act… Amidst these crucial milestones in our nation’s development journey, India stands on the brink of making one of the most significant decisions of the 21st century, a decision dedicated to ‘Nari Shakti.’”
“I say with great responsibility that this decision will be among the most important of our time. It is a decision dedicated to the empowerment of women, a true tribute to the strength and reverence of womanhood,” he said at the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan’.
In September 2023, Parliament passed the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, commonly known as the Women’s Reservation Act, that provided for the reservation of one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
The provision to provide 33% reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies was brought by amending the Constitution in 2023. Under the current law, the reservation for women would not have become enforceable before 2034, as it was tied to the completion of the delimitation exercise post 2027 Census.
To implement it from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, changes were needed in the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam; hence, the government is holding the special sitting to pass the amendments to the law.
The amendments to the Women’s Reservation Act, when passed, will ensure an increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816, of which 273 will be reserved for women.
The Prime Minister said the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam must be implemented on time so that the women’s participation strengthens the country’s democracy. “Our effort and priority is that this work should be accomplished through dialogue, cooperation and participation, which will enhance the dignity of Parliament,” he said.
Acknowledging the nationwide enthusiasm among women on this issue, Modi said women across the country are voicing their aspirations about reaching assemblies and the Lok Sabha, and their dreams have received new wings and a positive atmosphere has been created in the country. “I appeal to all women to maintain their active participation in this entire process and meet their MPs to share their perspectives and expectations,” he said.
Highlighting the contributions of women from the freedom struggle to the Constituent Assembly, the Prime Minister recalled their immense role in laying the foundation of independent India.
