Prime Minister Narender Modi stated on Friday that the Parliament’s approval of the Constitutional Amendment Bill, enabling women’s reservation in Lok Sabha and State Legislative assemblies, demonstrated the necessity of a major government to propel the country’s progress. The Prime MInister was addressing a gathering of women leaders and workers at the BJP central office a day after the Bill was passed.
PM Modi extended his congratulations to all women, recognising their pivotal role in achieving this historic milestone. When they chanted ‘Modi hai to mumkin (With Modi, it is possible),’ he said that the passage of the women’s Bill stressed was an achievement that was not solely his but a result of the collective support of the Indian people.
Also read:Lok Sabha clears Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023
“All of this was accomplished not by Modi alone but by you—by the millions of people in our country. Our nation elected a majority government, and the support you provided through your votes enabled us to accomplish crucial unfinished tasks,” the Prime Minister said, emphasizing that a majority government can make significant decisions and overcome obstacles posed by vested political interests. He noted that previous efforts in this regard had been half-hearted, with derogatory language used against women.
PM Modi also expressed his gratitude to all parties for passing the Bill. “There were many hurdles. There were old problems. But when one’s intent is good, results do come. The absolute support the Bill got in Parliament is a record. I thank all political parties and also all MPs for this. Today the country is removing all hurdles coming in the way of mothers and sisters. We made one scheme after another for the same.”
Also read:‘Strong government with majority made it possible’: PM Modi on Women’s Reservation Bill
While not explicitly naming parties like the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Samajwadi Party, PM Modi subtly criticised them, saying, “Those who used to tear up Bills had to support this Bill due to the rising influence of women’s power in the country. I had faith in your power, and your power made this possible.”
He listed several government schemes aimed at empowering women, such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao to check the skew in sex ratio, Ujjawala to offer clean cooking gas, building toilets, providing tap water connections, extending the period of paid maternity leave so that women can continue to work after childbirth, opening the doors of the Army and Sainik Schools for women, joint ownership in PM Awas Yojana houses, opening bank accounts for women under Jan Dhan Yojana, etc.
He also emphasised that the empowerment of every woman’s self-confidence was soaring and expressed happiness for mothers and daughters. He noted that this legislation was not an ordinary law but a testament to India’s new democratic tradition. He asserted. “This is proof of fulfilment of the guarantee Modi gave. The BJP has been trying for three decades for this. This was our commitment and we fulfilled it.”
Additionally, PM Modi highlighted that the prohibition of instant Triple Talaq provided social protection to Muslim sisters and contributed to their empowerment.