Women's Reservation Bill: PM Modi Thanks MPs For Historic Legislation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said he was delighted over the passage of the 'Women's Reservation Bill' by the Lok Sabha and also expressed his gratitude to the MPs for voting in favour of the legislation.

By calling 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' (Women's Reservation Bill) a "historic legislation", the Prime Minister said, "It will boost the women's empowerment".

PM Modi took to platform X, formerly Twitter, "Delighted at the passage of The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha with such phenomenal support. I thank MPs across Party lines who voted in support of this Bill. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is a historic legislation which will further boost women's empowerment and will enable even greater participation of women in our political process."

Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the passing of the bill is a "historic leap" for the nation while addressing the Lok Sabha on the women's quota.

"The bill envisaged by PM @narendramodiJi will not only script a new chapter in the history of women's empowerment but also foster equitable and gender-inclusive development in our nation. It yet again reiterates the Modi government's commitment to women-led governance," Shah wrote on his official X handle.

Shah also said that the legislation "strengthens parliamentary democracy by making laws and policies more gender-inclusive and effective."

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani while speaking to ANI said, "What a better way to begin Parliamentary innings for any parliamentarian than with the passage of a bill that crores of women were waiting for...It is yet to pass in the Rajya Sabha, yes, but as a Lok Sabha member, I am extremely privileged to have not only viewed history but also participated in it."

However, even though the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha, the opposition parties have been questioning the government over the timing of the implementation of the legislation.

While addressing the media, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, "It is good that the bill got passed but we have concerns, it is a bit of a 'jhumla' because of reference to delimitation and census...neither of it has been scheduled, which makes it very unclear when the bill will actually be implemented."

The bill granting 33 percent reservation to women in both Parliament and State Assemblies, saw its successful passage in the Lok Sabha. The bill was supported by 454 MPs with two opposing votes. While the 454 MPs cutting across the party lines voted in favour of the bill, the two MPs from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) were against the passage of the bill.