PM pushes early rollout of women’s reservation law

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed to all the political parties to come together this week during the three-day special session of the Parliament to pass the amendments to the women’s reservation law. In a letter, dated April 11, to the floor leaders of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the PM wrote, “After extensive deliberations, we have reached the conclusion that the time has now come to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in its true spirit across the country. It is imperative that the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and Assembly elections are conducted with women’s reservation in place.” The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is more commonly known as the women’s reservation Act.

The government has convened a special three-day sitting from April 16 to 18, during which proposed amendments to the Women’s Reservation Act are likely to be brought for consideration and passage. The provision to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies was brought by amending the Constitution in 2023. However, the Act could only be implemented after the delimitation exercise on the basis of the 2027 Census. This means the reservation would not have been enforceable before 2034 under the original law.

The proposed amendments to Women’s Reservation Act, if passed, will ensure an increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816, of which 273 will be reserved for women.

To implement the Act from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, changes are needed in the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam; hence, the government is holding a special session to pass the amendments to the law.

The PM wrote that the MPs who contribute to the implementation of the women’s quota will always take pride in having been part of this historic effort. “Therefore, we must not let this opportunity pass. Your support for the amendment to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam will be the fulfilment of an important responsibility towards the women of our country. The BJP has also issued a three-line whip to all of its MPs, urging them to remain present in their respective House during the Parliament session starting Thursday.

PM Modi said implementation of the women’s reservation Act in 2029 will infuse new energy into India’s democratic institutions and strengthen public trust and it will also ensure greater participation and representation in governance. “I am writing this letter so that we may all come together in one voice to pass this amendment,” he said.

He further said the issue of women’s reservation in Parliament and state legislatures has been discussed for decades and in 2023, The prime minister also mentioned the women represent nearly half of the country’s population and this was a strong step towards enhancing their participation in the political domain.

Kharge flags concerns

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has written to PM Modi, saying meaningful discussion on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 is “impossible” without clarity on delimitation and related provisions. He urged an all-party meeting after April 29, when State polls conclude. Kharge criticised the special Parliament session from April 16, calling it politically timed and lacking transparency. Despite earlier consensus on immediate implementation, he noted delays and said constitutional changes affecting the Union Government and States require wider consultation to ensure democratic participation and genuine women’s empowerment.