Narendra Modi seeks backing for Women’s Bill amendments

Ahead of the extended BillSession sitting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to leaders of all political parties, seeking their support for proposed amendments to the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023. He called the move a collective responsibility and urged parties to work together to ensure greater representation of women in legislatures.

The Prime Minister said that empowering women and increasing their participation in decision-making is essential for India’s development goals. He recalled the unanimous passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in 2023 and described it as a landmark moment that reflected rare political consensus across parties.

He further stressed that there was earlier agreement on implementing the women’s reservation law at the earliest. He urged all parties to ensure that the 2029 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are held with the provision of women’s reservation in place and called for unity beyond party lines.

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Opposition questions timing of Women’s Reservation Bill move

In response, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the timing of the special parliamentary sitting, especially amid ongoing state elections. He said the government appeared to be pushing the amendments without adequate consultation or prior discussion with the Opposition.

Mallikarjun Kharge demanded an all-party meeting before the government takes up any constitutional amendments. He said the government did not take Opposition parties into confidence and insisted that it should hold deliberations only after the current election phase ends.

He further raised concerns over the lack of clarity on delimitation linked to the implementation of the women’s reservation law. He argued that without clear information, meaningful discussion on the proposed amendments would not be possible, especially given their impact on India’s federal structure.

Kharge accused the government of rushing the process for political gain and said that important constitutional changes require wider consensus. He said the government must hear all states and political parties, regardless of size, before it takes final decisions on such important legislation.

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