With the Lok Sabha set to vote shortly on key legislation around women’s reservation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called on political parties to set aside differences and support the proposed amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, saying the “eyes of millions of women” are fixed on Parliament.
The appeal comes at a crucial juncture as the House debates a set of bills that seek to reshape representation, including the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies, alongside measures extending the provision to Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir and a delimitation exercise that will redraw constituencies.
PM cites late-night debate, says concerns addressed
Referring to the ongoing discussions, the Prime Minister said deliberations stretched into the early hours and that issues raised by members have been answered.
In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Currently, a discussion is underway in Parliament on amending the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. The debate continued until 1 am last night as well. Logical responses have been provided to dispel the misconceptions that were spread. Every apprehension has been addressed. The information that was lacking has also been provided to every member. Any issue that might have caused opposition in anyone’s mind has also been resolved.”
संसद में इस समय नारीशक्ति वंदन अधिनियम में संशोधन पर चर्चा चल रही है। कल रात भी एक बजे तक चर्चा चली है।
जो भ्रम फैलाए गए, उनको दूर करने के लिए तर्कबद्ध जवाब दिया गया है। हर आशंका का समाधान किया गया है। जिन जानकारियों का अभाव था, वो जानकारियां भी हर सदस्य को दी गई हैं। किसी के मन…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 17, 2026
‘Four decades of politics must end’
Framing the legislation as long overdue, the Prime Minister said the issue of women’s reservation has been delayed for decades and should now be resolved.
“For four decades, a great deal of politics has been played on the issue of women’s reservation in the country. Now is the time that half the country’s population must certainly receive its rights. Even after so many decades of independence, it is not right that Indian women have such minimal representation in the decision-making process,” the post read.
Final appeal before voting
As voting draws near, PM Modi made a direct appeal to lawmakers to act with sensitivity and back the amendment.
“In just a short while, voting will take place in the Lok Sabha. I urge all political parties… I appeal… Please, after due consideration and with complete sensitivity, make a decision and vote in favour of women’s reservation. On behalf of the country’s Nari Shakti, I will also pray to all members… please do not do anything that might hurt the sentiments of Nari Shakti. The eyes of the country’s millions of women are upon us all, upon our intentions, upon our decisions. Please support the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam,” the post further read.
मैं सभी सांसदों से कहूंगा…
आप अपने घर में मां-बहन-बेटी-पत्नी सबका स्मरण करते हुए अपनी अंतरात्मा को सुनिए …
देश की नारीशक्ति की सेवा का, उनके वंदन का ये बहुत बड़ा अवसर है।
उन्हें नए अवसरों से वंचित नहीं करिए।
ये संशोधन सर्वसम्मति से पारित होगा, तो देश की नारीशक्ति और सशक्त…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 17, 2026
The Lok Sabha continues to deliberate on the set of bills, including the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, which proposes expanding Lok Sabha seats to 850 and redrawing constituency boundaries.