Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed the nation and launched a strong attack on Opposition parties over the Women’s Reservation Bill, which seeks to ensure greater representation for women in Parliament and state legislatures. His remarks came amid continuing political debate surrounding the bill’s failure to secure passage in Parliament.
In his address, the Prime Minister defended the intent of the proposed legislation, stating that it was aimed at strengthening women’s participation in decision-making and governance. He criticised opposition parties for blocking what he described as an important step toward gender equality in political institutions, saying their stance had prevented a historic opportunity from being realised.
The Women’s Reservation Bill proposes to reserve one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. However, despite strong support from the government side, it failed to achieve the required two-thirds majority in the lower house, leading to its rejection. The outcome has sparked a sharp political exchange between the ruling party and the opposition.
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Modi also used the address to highlight what he described as the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment through legislative and policy measures. He suggested that resistance to the bill reflected a lack of seriousness about increasing women’s representation in public life and decision-making roles.
The debate around the bill has become a key political issue, with differing views on its implementation and timing. While the government has positioned it as a major reform for gender equality, opposition parties have raised concerns over procedural and structural aspects linked to its rollout.
The Prime Minister’s nationwide address is expected to further intensify the political discourse on the issue as parties continue to exchange accusations over responsibility for the bill’s fate.
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