Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday described the proposed women’s reservation legislation as a historic step dedicated to “Nari Shakti” (women's empowerment) and one of the biggest decisions India will make in the 21st century.
Speaking at the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan' at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, the prime minister said the move could make social justice a central aspect of governance and decision-making.
“India is about to make one of the biggest decisions of the 21st century. I say this with great responsibility—it is one of the most important decisions of this century. This decision is dedicated to Nari Shakti. Dedicated to Nari Shakti Vandan,” he remarked.
Modi’s comments came ahead of a special parliamentary session later this week, where the government is expected to introduce amendments to the women’s reservation bill, known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, to ensure its implementation in the 2029 general elections.
“Our country’s Parliament is on the verge of making new history,” Modi said. “A history that will realise the concepts of the past and fulfill the resolutions of the future.”
The prime minister noted that the discourse around providing reservations for women in democratic structures had been ongoing for four decades. He acknowledged that every political party in the country has contributed to advancing this idea.
Modi expressed hope that when the special session begins on April 16, all political parties will work together to move the initiative forward in the interest of women’s empowerment.
“We are keeping the 2029 deadline in mind, and a comprehensive discussion on this will take place in Parliament from April 16. It is our endeavor and desire to ensure that this work is carried out with mutual cooperation and participation, as we have done before,” the Prime Minister added.
On Sunday, Modi wrote to the floor leaders of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, stressing the importance of implementing women’s reservation in the 2029 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
The 2023 constitutional amendment provides for 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. However, this quota would only come into effect after the completion of the delimitation exercise based on the 2027 Census, meaning the reservation would not be enforceable before 2034 under the original law. The government is now bringing amendments to implement it from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
If passed, the amendment will increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816, reserving 273 seats for women.