Parliament Set To Create History With Women's Reservation Act: PM Modi At 'Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan'

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, said that Parliament is set to create "new history" as it prepares to amend the Women's Reservation Act for its implementation by 2029. He made these remarks while addressing the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan' held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, ahead of a three-day special session of Parliament scheduled from April 16.

The Prime Minister highlighted that the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, first introduced in 2023, received unanimous support from all political parties. He noted that there has been a collective demand, including from the Opposition, to ensure that the law is implemented by 2029.

Calling the proposed amendment a historic step, PM Modi said it would fulfil long-standing aspirations and strengthen social justice in the country. "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 at the conference.

The Prime Minister said 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.

"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.

In September 2023, Parliament passed the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', commonly known as the Women's Reservation Act, marking a significant step towards enhancing women's representation in legislative bodies.

The Act provided for the reservation of one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative Assemblies.

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 provision to provide 33 per cent 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 on the basis of the 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 a special sitting to pass the amendments to the law.

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