New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India stands 'on the brink of making history' as the long-pending women’s reservation in legislatures moves closer to implementation, asserting that the reform will deepen democracy and accelerate women-led development.
Addressing a gathering in the national capital, the Prime Minister described the proposed law as one of the most significant decisions of the 21st century, dedicated to “Nari Shakti”, and said it would mark a transformative shift in India’s governance framework by ensuring greater participation of women in decision-making.
The legislation, formally known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, seeks to reserve 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women, a long-standing demand aimed at improving representation and inclusivity in politics.
Modi underlined that the move would not only strengthen democratic institutions but also help realise the aspirations of past leaders while laying the foundation for a more inclusive future. He emphasised that women’s participation in governance is central to India’s growth story and that the reform would translate representation into leadership.
With a crucial special session of Parliament scheduled from April 16 to 18, the government is expected to push forward key legislative steps required to operationalise the quota, including constitutional amendments linked to delimitation and census exercises.
In the run-up to the session, the Prime Minister has stepped up outreach efforts, engaging with eminent personalities and women achievers across sectors to build broader public support for the legislation.
The government has already initiated the legislative process, with the Union Cabinet clearing key amendment and delimitation bills required to operationalise the quota, which is expected to come into effect from 2029 following the completion of a fresh census and delimitation exercise.
Seeking consensus, Modi has written to leaders of all political parties, urging them to rise above partisan lines and support the measure, noting that the bill requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament for passage.
While the move has received wide political backing, it has also sparked debate over its timeline and the linkage with delimitation, with opposition parties raising concerns even as the government pitches it as a historic step toward gender equality in Indian politics.
With Parliament set to deliberate during the April 16–18 session, the women’s reservation law is poised to become a defining reform, potentially reshaping the country’s political landscape and advancing the goal of inclusive governance.
BI Bureau
