Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on Thursday where he mocked SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, calling him a “friend”, even as he highlighted that he comes from the most backward community.
The Prime Minister was addressing the House during the discussion of the Constitutional Amendment Bill on Women’s Reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Prime Minister Modi said that although he himself is from a backward community, it is his responsibility to take everyone with him. His remarks came while speaking in support of the Women’s Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha.
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Prime Minister Modi stressed that it is 30 years too late to include women in Parliament.
“The need was that 25-30 years ago, when this idea first came up, we should have implemented it then. Today, we have taken it to a significant level of maturity. As needed, it would have seen improvements from time to time. This, after all, is the beauty of democracy,” Prime Minister Modi said.
He added that whoever opposes the draft women’s quota law will pay the price for a long time, adding that this step will not benefit any specific party and should not be measured in political terms.
Prime Minister Modi said that there are some important moments in the life of a country, and the mindset of society and leadership ability can capture that moment and turn it into an asset for the nation.
“The discussion on this important bill began this morning. Various members have raised various issues, and we will provide detailed and accurate information to the House on these matters. That is why I do not wish to go into these details. There are some important moments in the life of any country. At such a time, the mentality of the society and the ability of the leadership seizes that moment and turns it into an asset for the nation, creating a strong legacy. In the history of parliamentary democracy in India, these are the moments,” he said.
He added that the members of Parliament are fortunate to have this opportunity to participate in such an important nation-building process. He called on members not to miss this opportunity.
“I said at the beginning that we are all fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in such an important nation-building process in which half of the country’s population is participating… We MPs must not let this important opportunity slip by. Together, we will give the country a new direction. We will make a purposeful effort to bring sensitivity to our system of governance. This will not only shape the nation’s policy, but will also determine the direction and condition of the country.”
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Akhilesh Yadav’s microphone has been turned off
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav mocked the Prime Minister’s “backward community” remark, saying that when he seeks votes from the community, he easily associates himself with it.
Responding to Yadav, PM Modi said: “Akhilesh ji (Yadav) is my friend, so he provides support sometimes. It is true that I belong to a very backward section of society, but it is my responsibility to take everyone with me. The Constitution has shown me this path, and for me, the Constitution is supreme. It is the strength of our Constitution that a person like me, from a very humble and backward background, has been entrusted with such a huge responsibility by the country.”
