NEW DELHI/DEHRADUN : A day ahead of the three-day special session of Parliament to clear amendments to the women’s reservation Act 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Indian democracy would become stronger if the 2029 elections are conducted with implementation of 33% women’s quota.
“Our democracy will become stronger and more vibrant if the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and various assembly elections that year are held with women’s reservation fully in place,” Modi underlined in his letter to women. Earlier, he had written to leaders of all Opposition parties seeking their support for the proposed amendments to the women’s bill, to be taken up during the special session from April 16 to 18.
In what appears to be a planned outreach to women through an open letter coinciding with B R Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, the PM urged them to write to their MPs in support of the amendments. He emphasised that when women actively participate in policy-making and decision-making, the journey towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’ gains greater momentum.
“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. He explained that this guiding principle led to the passage of the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ in 2023, and that the same principle now underpins the urgency of the proposed constitutional amendments.
“It is important that we all come together and ensure that women’s representation in legislative bodies is introduced in letter and spirit at the earliest,” he said. “When the voice of women becomes stronger in our legislatures, the voice of democracy becomes stronger. I seek your blessings and the blessings of crores of women across the length and breadth of India for the upcoming Parliament sitting and for the passage of the constitutional amendment,” he added.
Highlighting women’s achievements across sectors, Modi said that it is appropriate to increase their representation in legislative bodies accordingly. Referring to the start-up ecosystem, he noted that many ventures now have women in leadership roles. He highlighted the growing participation of women in science, innovation, academia, literature, art, music, cinema, dance and heritage, adding that transformation is visible in sports.
“Indian women athletes are winning more medals, breaking records and challenging old mindsets. Their successes are inspiring several other young girls to pursue sports,” he said. He expressed concerns that despite repeated efforts over the past three to four decades to enhance women’s participation in legislatures, these initiatives had not fully succeeded.
“Unfortunately, a subject on which there has always been consensus was never able to reach its logical conclusion. As the people of India immerse themselves in realising the dream of a Viksit Bharat by then, let us ensure that justice is done to the aspirations of India’s Nari Shakti, which is almost half of our population,” he said.
Inaugurating the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, Modi urged all parties to support implementation of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 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 nation’s sisters and daughters,” PM said in Dehradun.
‘Women’s role vital for Viksit Bharat’
The PM said that when women participate in policy-making, the journey towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’ gains greater momentum. “It is imperative that we do whatever is possible to add more vigour to our development trajectory and for that, participation of women is absolutely non-negotiable”.
‘Quota for 2029 polls a collective sentiment’
Modi urged all parties to support implementation of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in the 2029 polls, calling it the “collective sentiment” of the nation. “Let all parties come together to take forward this initiative, which concerns rights of the nation’s sisters and daughters,” he said.
