Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday underscored the urgent need for reservation for women in legislative bodies, describing it as a transformative step that would make India’s democracy more vibrant and participative. The push for women reservation in legislative bodies, he said, reflects a growing national consensus on inclusive governance. In an Op-Ed and a series of posts on social media platform X, the Prime Minister called for unity among Members of Parliament to ensure the timely passage of the long-pending legislation.
Highlighting the importance of the proposed reform, the Prime Minister stated that any delay in implementing women’s reservation would be “deeply unfortunate.” He emphasised that the move is not merely a policy decision but a historic necessity to strengthen democratic institutions and ensure equal representation.
Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, “Reservation for women in legislative bodies is the need of the hour! This will make our democracy even more vibrant and participative. Any delay in bringing this reservation will be deeply unfortunate. Expressed my thoughts on the issue in this Op-ed.”
Women reservation in legislative bodies gains urgency
In his detailed Op-Ed, the Prime Minister also extended greetings to citizens across the country on the occasion of multiple festivals being celebrated during this period. He noted that India would soon be immersed in a festive spirit, with diverse regions observing their traditional New Year celebrations. He mentioned that Assam would celebrate Rongali Bihu, Odisha would mark Maha Bishuba Pana Sankranti, West Bengal would welcome Poila Boishakh, and Kerala would observe Vishu with great enthusiasm. Similarly, Tamil Nadu would celebrate Puthandu, while Punjab and several northern states would mark Baisakhi.
Conveying his wishes, PM Modi said that these festivals symbolise hope, renewal, and positivity. “I extend my heartfelt greetings to all those celebrating these festivals across India and around the world. May these auspicious occasions bring happiness, prosperity, and well-being to everyone’s lives,” he said.
The Prime Minister further highlighted significant upcoming occasions of national importance.
“Furthermore, on the 11th of April, we will commence the 200th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Phule, and on the 14th, India will pay homage to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on Ambedkar Jayanti. In addition to these special occasions, when the spirit of renewal fills our hearts and minds, our nation stands at the threshold of another historic occasion. It is an opportunity to deepen the foundations of our democracy and to reaffirm our collective commitment to equality and inclusion,” PM Modi said.
Parliament to take up women reservation bill
Amid this backdrop of celebration and reflection, PM Modi pointed out that the country stands at the threshold of a historic moment. He announced that Parliament would convene on April 16 to deliberate on and pass an important bill aimed at advancing women’s reservation in legislative bodies. He stressed that describing this as merely a legislative exercise would be an understatement, as it reflects the aspirations of millions of women across the nation.
“This is an affirmation of a principle deeply rooted in our civilisational ethos — that society progresses when women progress,” he wrote.
Women empowerment and representation gap
Emphasising the vital role of women in nation-building, the Prime Minister noted that women constitute nearly half of India’s population and have made invaluable contributions across sectors.
“Women constitute nearly half of India’s population. Their contributions to our nation are vast and invaluable. Today, India is witnessing remarkable achievements by women across every field. From science and technology to entrepreneurship, from sports to the armed forces and from music to the arts, women are at the forefront of India’s progress.”
He further stated that sustained efforts in recent years have helped create an enabling environment for women’s empowerment. Increased access to education, improved healthcare facilities, enhanced financial inclusion, and better availability of basic amenities have strengthened women’s participation in both economic and social spheres.
However, PM Modi acknowledged that women’s representation in politics and legislative institutions has not kept pace with their contributions in other fields.
“This is particularly unfortunate because when women participate in administration and decision-making, they bring with them experiences and insights that enrich public discourse and improve the quality of governance,” he said.
Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and future roadmap
PM Modi further said that over the decades, there have been repeated efforts to provide women with their rightful place in democratic institutions by the previous governments.
“It is imperative that the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and the Assembly elections are conducted with women’s reservation in place.”
He cited the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in September 2023 as a significant milestone and one of the most special moments of his life.
The Prime Minister also linked the initiative to constitutional values, stressing that equality must be a lived reality.
“For decades, the need for greater participation of women in legislative institutions has been acknowledged. Postponing action now would mean continuing an imbalance that we already recognise and have the means to correct,” he wrote.
Calling it a “historic opportunity,” the Prime Minister said that strengthening women reservation in legislative bodies would make democracy more representative and future-ready.
He further stressed that the issue transcends political boundaries and requires collective action.
“This moment calls for collective action… It is what we owe to our Nari Shakti,” he said.
The Prime Minister urged lawmakers to rise above differences and act in unity, expressing confidence that India will uphold the highest traditions of democracy.
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