New Delhi, April 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a heartfelt address to the nation, expressed regret over the failure of the Women's Power Bill in Parliament and criticized opposition parties for their role in its defeat. The Constitution Amendment Bill, which sought to tweak women’s reservation in the Lok Sabha, failed to pass in the Lok Sabha on Friday, drawing sharp remarks from the Prime Minister.
Modi, addressing the nation, apologized to the "mothers and sisters" of the country for the setback, stating, “Women’s Power Bill could not pass in Parliament,” and lamented the missed opportunity to advance women’s rights. He emphasized that the nation’s interest should always be the priority, but pointed out how party politics had overshadowed the greater good.
The Prime Minister made strong comments about opposition parties, accusing them of prioritizing self-interest over the nation's welfare. "Today, I stand before you to discuss a matter of great importance, especially for the women of this country. Despite our best efforts, the Nari Shakti Adhiniyam could not be amended,” he said, acknowledging the collective hope of millions of women across the nation who had watched Parliament closely.
He further criticized parties like Congress, DMK, TMC, and Samajwadi Party, suggesting their political maneuvering had undermined the country’s women. "When women's rights are compromised, and parties like Congress and others celebrate the defeat, it’s not just a blow to policy—it’s an insult to the dignity of women," Modi said, pointing out the painful sight of opposition MPs applauding the defeat.
The Constitution Amendment Bill sought to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 816 members, with 33% of the seats reserved for women. It also called for delimitation based on the 2011 census. The government, which had linked the Women’s Reservation Bill to the Delimitation Bill, later withdrew the other linked bills after the defeat.
Despite the setback, Modi reiterated the government's commitment to women's empowerment and slammed the opposition for allegedly stalling the progress of women in India. Opposition parties, while expressing support for women's reservation, opposed the proposed delimitation, suggesting it could disrupt the existing Lok Sabha structure.
The Prime Minister’s address concluded with an apology to the women of India, stressing that the nation would continue to push for progress despite political obstacles.
