Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha during the special Parliament session, calling the Women’s Reservation Bill a defining moment in India’s democratic journey.
He said the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, marks a historic step toward inclusive governance and stronger national policymaking.
Modi emphasised that the bill, which ensures 33% reservation for women in legislatures, represents a long-overdue reform that should have been implemented decades ago. He described India as the “mother of democracy” and said the move would give a new direction to policymaking by increasing women’s participation.
Rejecting opposition criticism, the Prime Minister urged leaders not to politicise the issue. “Women’s reservation should not be measured in political terms,” he said, adding that empowering women strengthens democracy, not any single party.
He reminded lawmakers that those who opposed women’s rights in the past faced consequences and urged all parties to unite for the country’s progress. Modi said, “If we all move forward together, this decision will go in favour of the country’s democracy.”
The government introduced a legislative package comprising the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The reform will take effect from the 2029 general elections.
Modi concluded that a “Viksit Bharat” must reflect equal participation, saying, “Empowering women is not a political move but a step toward a stronger nation.”
