Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday strongly defended the government’s push for implementing women’s reservation, describing it as a “legacy-defining moment” and urging all political parties to rise above differences and support the measure. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during a special three-day session of Parliament, he cautioned the Opposition against politicising what he framed as a significant step toward inclusive governance.
Responding to criticism from Congress and other opposition parties—who have accused the government of attempting to push delimitation alongside the reservation framework—Modi rejected claims that the move was politically motivated. He emphasised that the initiative was taken in the national interest and not driven by electoral considerations.
Highlighting the importance of the proposed reform, the Prime Minister stated that the 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies should be seen as a rightful entitlement rather than a concession. He argued that women’s growing participation at the grassroots level, particularly in local governance institutions like panchayats, has naturally led to a stronger demand for representation in higher decision-making bodies.
He also issued a pointed warning to critics, stating that history has shown that those who oppose women’s reservation often face electoral consequences. At the same time, he reiterated that the issue should not be reduced to partisan politics and called for collective support across party lines.
The government has introduced the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill to operationalise the Women’s Reservation Act, along with additional proposals to facilitate delimitation and restructure representation. This has become a central point of contention, with opposition leaders demanding immediate implementation of the quota based on the current composition of the Lok Sabha, without linking it to delimitation.
Modi framed the reservation initiative as a key component of his broader vision of a “Viksit Bharat,” stressing that economic development alone is not sufficient without inclusive and representative policymaking. He underscored that women, who make up nearly half of the country’s population, must be actively involved in governance and legislative processes.
Reiterating the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” he said that true development requires participation from all sections of society, including women at every level of decision-making. He also assured opposition members that their concerns could be addressed separately during discussions, but urged them not to obstruct the passage of what he described as a historic reform.
Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister called on lawmakers to recognise the significance of the moment and ensure that the opportunity to advance women’s representation in governance is not missed.
