‘Collective sentiment’: Modi urges parties to back women’s quota

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged all political parties to support amendments needed to implement the Women’s Reservation Act by the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, calling it a collective national sentiment and stressing women’s role in strengthening democracy and development

Dehradun: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the Women’s Reservation Act was passed with the support of all parties after a long wait and urged them to back the amendments in laws to ensure its implementation in the 2029 elections, calling it the “collective sentiment” of the nation.

“Let all political parties come together to unanimously take forward this initiative, which concerns the rights of the sisters and daughters of the nation,” he said at a public meeting here ahead of the three-day special sittings of Parliament from April 16 to consider a legislative package, including amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, to implement quota for women from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

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In September 2023, Parliament passed the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, commonly known as the Women’s Reservation Act, that provided for the reservation of one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies.

PM Modi said that women have a pivotal role to play in the making of a developed India and asserted that Indian democracy will become stronger and more vibrant if elections to the Lok Sabha and various assemblies in 2029 are held with women’s quota fully in place.

“Today, from Devbhumi (Uttarakhand), I once again appeal to all political parties across the country to extend their full support to the amendment of the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’. In 2029, we will ensure that 50 per cent of our country’s population receives their rightful due,” Modi said.

He observed that all political parties had come forward to extend their support to this landmark Act which was passed after a wait of four decades.

There should be no further delay in delivering this rightful entitlement to women, and the Act should be fully implemented starting with the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for 2029, Modi said.

“This reflects the collective sentiment of the nation. It is the cherished wish of every sister and daughter across the country,” the Prime Minister said at the public meeting after the inauguration of the Delhi-Dehradun economic corridor.

Prime Minister Modi said he has written a letter addressed to “all the sisters of the country”, requesting them to become partners in this endeavour. “I have firm faith that the mothers and sisters of my country will certainly read this letter.” Modi said that when women become active participants in policy and decision-making, the journey towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’ is strengthened.

“Thus, it is imperative that we do whatever is possible to add more vigour to our development trajectory and for that, the active participation of women is absolutely non-negotiable,” he said.

The Prime Minister said it is this principle that led to the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in 2023 and it is the same principle that has made this constitutional amendment the need of the hour.

He said that with women excelling in many fields, it is only fitting that there is an increase in their participation in legislative bodies.

Modi said that the “convenience, safety and participation in democracy of our sisters and daughters are a top priority for this ‘double engine’ government”.

“I see a very significant role for the daughters, mothers, and sisters of this country,” Modi said.

Referring to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the Prime Minister noted that this crisis has caused widespread turmoil even in developed nations.

He emphasised that even amidst such challenging circumstances, the government remains committed to ensuring that women face the least possible inconvenience.

Modi also mentioned the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, saying it stands as a vibrant example of “our cultural consciousness, where Mother Nanda is considered a daughter and is bid farewell with the utmost respect”.

“I offer my salutations to Mother Nanda. I also wish to convey a special message to the sisters and daughters across the entire nation — you have a pivotal role to play in the making of a developed India.”