Standing beneath the Tricolour on the Red Fort on the occasion of 80th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a strong appeal to political parties across the country to ensure women get their promised place in India’s legislatures.
“Standing here today beneath the Tricolour on the ramparts of the Red Fort, I appeal to and urge all the political parties of the country: come, become champions of women’s empowerment. Let them contribute to shaping India’s policies. This is the need of the hour, and I once again urge all political parties: come, join in honouring women by implementing women’s reservation. The Prime Minister also pointed to the growing role of women in local governance. He highlighted how women representatives in Panchayats, Municipalities and Municipal Corporations are leading from the front, addressing local problems and providing capable leadership. The Prime Minister’s renewed push comes against the backdrop of the stalled implementation of the women’s reservation law. For Modi, however, the issue is bigger than political credit.
He framed women’s representation as a matter of rights and national progress, urging parties to work together so that women can play a stronger role in deciding the country’s future. Step forward to honour women and ensure that our mothers and sisters secure 33% representation in the Legislative Assemblies and the Lok Sabha as soon as possible. Modi recalled the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in 2023, which sought to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for women. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, linked to the implementation of the 33 per cent quota and delimitation, could not secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha on April 17.
You may take the credit, you may claim the accolades, but please grant our mothers and sisters their due rights,” said PM Modi. “Come, become champions of women’s empowerment,” Modi said, urging parties to move ahead with the implementation of women’s reservation. He said the idea of greater political representation for women had remained caught in political battles for decades. This is the need of the hour,” Modi said from the Red Fort.
