Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged the Opposition to support the Constitution Amendment Bill for the early implementation of women’s reservation and delimitation, saying that those who oppose today will have to pay the price for a long time.
Participating in the debate on the Constitution Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi said that 33 per cent reservation is the right of the women of the country, adding that it is time for the 50 per cent population of the country to become a part of decision-making.
Below are the top quotes of PM Modi’s speech in the Lok Sabha:
- “We are all fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in such an important, nation-building process involving half the country’s population… We MPs must not let this important opportunity slip away. Together, we Indians are going to give the country a new direction. We are going to make a meaningful effort to infuse our governance system with sensitivity. This will not only shape the nation’s politics, but it will also determine the direction and condition of the country…”
- “A developed India does not mean only good infrastructure but participation of women in policy making. Those who oppose women quota bill will pay a price for a long time”
- “Today, in every field of life, we see that women power is enhancing the pride of the nation. They are not behind in any way in raising the flag of success and achievement.”
- “We want a ‘Viksit Bharat’, where policy-making truly embodies the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.’ It is the demand of the time that 50 per cent of the country’s population becomes part of policy-making.”
- “Women have not forgotten those who have stood against their rights.” Modi also warned of political implications of the bill for those opposing it and said they will have to pay the price for a long time.
- “This will be in favour of the country’s democracy, it will be in favor of the country’s collective decision-making, and we will all be entitled to the credit. Neither the Treasury Department nor Modi will be its rightful owner, nor will everyone sitting here be its rightful owner. I would like those who smell politics in this to examine their own perspectives over the past 30 years and see if there is any benefit in this. I believe there’s no need to give it a political spin.”
- “Discussion on this important bill began this morning. Many members have raised various issues, and we will provide detailed and accurate information to the House on those matters. That is why I do not wish to go into those specifics. There are some important moments in the life of a country. At such a time, the mindset of the society and the capability of the leadership capture that moment and turn it into an asset for the nation, creating a strong legacy. In the history of India’s parliamentary democracy, these are such moments,” he said.
- “The need was that when this idea was first conceived 25-30 years ago, and the need was felt, we should have implemented it, and today we have brought it to a mature stage. According to the need, it is also improved from time to time, and this is the beauty of democracy. Ours is the Mother of Democracy. Our democracy has been a development journey for thousands of years, and all of us in this House have the auspicious opportunity to add a new dimension to this development journey.”
- “I would also like to tell all the members of this House that we should not live in any illusion or arrogance. I am using the word ‘we’ I am not speaking in terms of ‘I’ and ‘you’. We should not live under the illusion that we are giving something to the women power of the country. It is their right and we have stopped it for several decades and today, this is our opportunity to be free from sin…”
- “We are providing a new direction to the country. We are trying to create a positive impact. This will shape a new direction in the political sphere. I feel fortunate to be part of a moment that brings half of the population into policy-making.”