Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the first day of the special session of Parliament, calling on all parties to “collectively” ensure the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandhan Adhinyam Bill or the Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Prime Minister Modi said the women’s reservation bill will not “discriminate” against anyone and will not be “unfair”.
The special session of the budget session in Parliament began on Thursday and is scheduled to last from April 16 to 18.
Three major bills have been introduced – the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Decision on these matters will be taken on Friday (April 17) at 4 pm IST.
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During his speech in Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister urged the opposition parties to support the bill, while offering an “assurance” that it would not lead to political benefit to one group. However, he said that if anyone objects to the bill, women will not “forgive” him. Below are the key points from Prime Minister Modi’s speech on the floor of the House.
PM Modi talks about reservation for women in Lok Sabha | Top quotes
• “There will be no discrimination, and the decision-making process will not be unfair.”
Prime Minister Modi said that the passage of the women’s reservation and demarcation bills would not be discriminatory in nature. “I want to say responsibly today that this will not discriminate against anyone. This decision-making process will not be unfair to anyone,” Prime Minister Modi said.
He added, “The government that was in power earlier, determining the seats, and the percentage that has existed since then will remain unchanged, and the percentage will remain the same…”
• “Lawmakers are about to give the country a new direction.”
At the beginning of his speech, Prime Minister Modi stressed that lawmakers are “about to give this country a new direction.” “All of us (legislators) must not miss this opportunity. We are about to give the country a new direction. This is an effort to make our legislation more sensitive. In the 21st century, India is moving forward with new confidence. We can see India’s stature growing globally,” he said.
• ‘No party objected in principle’
The Prime Minister stated that when he met with the various opposition groups, no one had objections to the principles of the draft law. “If we come together in small groups, we all agree that this (women’s reservation) is a much-needed step. No party has objected in principle. But in Parliament, there is political opposition,” he said.
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• “It will not be considered a victory for one party.”
Amid objections from the opposition over the timing of the bill and fears of “rush”, the Prime Minister said he would “ensure” that the passage of the bill ensuring reservation for women would not be a “victory for one party”. “This will be a collective success for everyone, for the entire nation. This will not be considered a victory for any party,” he said.
• “Those who opposed will not be forgiven.”
Prime Minister Modi said that although the passage of the bill will not benefit anyone, women in the country “will not forgive” those who oppose it. He said: “Women have not forgotten those who stood against their rights.”
The Prime Minister added: “As a friend – I have some advice for those who are against this – everyone who objects to women’s reservation in any field, women have not been excluded from it.” Prime Minister Modi said the bill should not be given “political colour”.
• “Women have been deprived of this right for a long time.”
During his speech, Prime Minister Modi said that no one is “giving” the country’s women anything, asserting instead that it is a “right” they have been denied.
“We should not live in this illusion that we are giving the women of this country something. This is their right, which they have been deprived of for a long time,” Prime Minister Modi said.
• “I don’t want credit, I’ll post everyone’s pictures.”
The Prime Minister said he wanted “credit” for the bill’s passage, adding that he was ready to “publish everyone’s image.” “I give you a blank check to demand approval for the passage of the Women Quota Bill,” Prime Minister Modi said. He added: “I don’t want the credit. After this bill passes, tomorrow I will put out a full-page ad with a picture of anyone you want.”
• “This will be in the interest of decision-making in the country.”
Prime Minister Modi said that success in passing reservation for women will benefit democracy and decision-making in the country. “This will be in the interest of the country’s democracy, it will be in the interest of the country’s collective decision-making process, and we will all have the right to take the credit,” he said.
“Neither the Treasury nor Modi will be the rightful owner of it, and not everyone sitting here will be the rightful owner of it,” the Prime Minister added.
