PM Modi's Speech On Delimitation and Women's Quota - Key Pointers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday used his address in the Lok Sabha during the debate on the Women's Reservation Bill to pitch it as a historic opportunity to reshape India's governance and ensure greater inclusivity.

Describing the moment as "fortunate", PM Modi urged Members of Parliament to rise above political differences and not let the opportunity slip. He said the Bill would help bring greater sensitivity into governance and align with the broader vision of a "Viksit Bharat", where development goes beyond infrastructure to include inclusive policymaking.

Emphasising the need for greater representation, the Prime Minister said women, who make up nearly 50 per cent of the population, must have a stronger role in decision-making. He noted that the proposal to reserve 33 per cent of seats would not take away existing representation but instead add "new and additional strength" through an expansion of the House.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that the legislation had been delayed for nearly three decades, blaming repeated "technical excuses" for holding it back. He asserted that the time had come to move forward decisively, adding that women voters have increasingly held political parties accountable on the issue.

He also cautioned against viewing the Bill through a purely political lens, advising parties that opposing it could carry electoral consequences. At the same time, he struck a conciliatory tone, offering to share credit for its passage with all parties.

Addressing concerns over delimitation, Mr Modi assured the House that no state or region would face injustice, reiterating that the process would remain fair and proportionate.

Calling the measure a matter of women's rights rather than political charity, the Prime Minister urged Parliament to act collectively and deliver a long-pending reform.

Key Pointers From His Speech

"This is a fortunate moment for us... I don't want to talk about this or that today. All of us MPs... We should not let this significant opportunity go by. Together, we are going to give a new direction to the country. We are going to make a meaningful effort to fill our governance system with sensitivity..."

"In the 21st century, India is moving forward with a new self-confidence. We all feel India's acceptance in the world today. This is a moment of pride for all of us... I firmly believe that a 'Viksit Bharat' does not only mean new types of railways, roads, infrastructure, or economic progress figures. We are not people with such a limited vision of a 'Viksit Bharat'. We want a 'Viksit Bharat', where policy-making truly embodies the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.' It is the demand of the time that 50% of the country's population becomes part of policy-making."

"The need was that when this idea was first conceived 25-30 years ago, and the need was felt, we should have implemented it, and today we have brought it to a mature stage. According to the need, it is also improved from time to time, and this is the beauty of democracy. Ours is the Mother of Democracy. Our democracy has been a development journey for thousands of years, and all of us in this House have the auspicious opportunity to add a new dimension to this development journey..."

"We have already delayed it. Whatever the reasons may be, whoever is responsible, we must accept this reality... I know that when this process was underway, consultations were held with all parties. Except for one party, everyone we met did not raise any principled opposition. Whatever happened later, a political direction is being taken."

"To those who only think in a political direction, I give advice as a friend-advice that will benefit everyone. Ever since discussions on women's reservation began in our country, and thereafter, whenever elections have come, whichever parties have opposed this women's reservation, the women of the country have not forgiven them. They have made their condition very bad..."

"In political life, anyone, whether an MP or an MLA, who wants to move forward successfully must accept that in the last 25-30 years, lakhs of women have become leaders at the grassroots level..."

"Akhilesh ji (Yadav) is my friend, so at times he does offer support. It is true that I come from an extremely backward section of society, but my responsibility is to take everyone along. 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 great responsibility by the country."

"I would just like to say that this should not be weighed on the scale of politics. Whenever we move to take a decision, those who carry responsibility for such a large parts of the country also have a right to be present here. We should not stop them. Secondly, regarding numbers, there has long been a discussion that their count should not be reduced. If it is increased, the process will move faster. That is why the proposal has come to increase it by 33 per cent so that no one feels their rights are being taken away. It will add new and additional strength. The structure of the House has already been planned accordingly, and space has been created. I would also like to say in a lighter vein that everyone has their own political reasons, and the fear of defeat can be quite striking. But whenever something good happens, there is a tradition of putting a 'kala teeka' to protect it from evil. I thank you for putting that 'kala teeka'."

"It is very obvious that if you oppose this bill, then I will get political benefits from it. However, if we walk together, nobody will benefit from it. So, I don't want the credit. If the bill is passed, I am ready to make hoardings with everyone's photo. I am ready to give you all the credit."

"I would just like to say that this should not be weighed on the scale of politics. Whenever we move to take a decision, those who carry responsibility for such a large parts of the country also have a right to be present here. We should not stop them. Secondly, regarding numbers, there has long been a discussion that their count should not be reduced. If it is increased, the process will move faster. That is why the proposal has come to increase it by 33 per cent so that no one feels their rights are being taken away. It will add new and additional strength. The structure of the House has already been planned accordingly, and space has been created. I would also like to say in a lighter vein that everyone has their own political reasons, and the fear of defeat can be quite striking. But whenever something good happens, there is a tradition of putting a 'kala teeka' to protect it from evil. I thank you for putting that 'kala teeka'."

"I rise in this House with a sense of responsibility to say from this sacred place that, whether it is the South, North, East, or West; whether small states or large states, the processes being undertaken will not discriminate against anyone. This decision-making process will not do injustice to any region or section. Whatever delimitation was carried out in the past, and the proportions that have been followed since then, will remain unchanged. Any future increase will also be in the same proportion. If you want the word 'guarantee,' I am ready to give a guarantee. If you want a promise, I am ready to make a promise. When the intent is clear, there is no need to play with words."

"We all know this has been handled cleverly every time. Yes, there was support, but each time some technical issue was raised and it was stalled. New excuses were brought in again and again. There was no courage to openly oppose 33 per cent reservation for women... Now, the women of this country cannot be misled anymore. What happens with the numbers in the House will be decided in time, but it is clear that this was kept pending for three decades using different excuses. You got what you wanted, now let it move ahead."

The special session, held between 16 to 18 April, aims to fast-track the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. To ensure that the one-third reservation for women does not diminish the representation of other groups, the government has proposed a significant expansion of the Lower House.