Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday criticised the Congress and Samajwadi Party over their past stance on the Women’s Reservation Bill, accusing them of repeatedly delaying efforts to increase women’s political representation in India.
Addressing a public meeting, the Prime Minister said his government had taken a historic step by bringing forward the Women’s Reservation Bill, which provides for reserving one third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women. He described it as a major reform aimed at strengthening women’s role in decision making and governance.
PM Modi said that while his government delivered on the long pending demand, opposition parties are now trying to take credit despite earlier blocking or postponing the proposal. He alleged that both the Congress and the Samajwadi Party had shown a lack of seriousness on women empowerment when they were in power.
He added that the bill represents not just a political reform but also a social change that will encourage greater participation of women in leadership roles across the country. According to him, women have already been benefiting from several government schemes and the reservation law will further strengthen their position in politics.
The Prime Minister also said that India’s progress cannot be complete without equal participation of women in governance. He urged voters to remember which political parties supported the bill consistently and which opposed or delayed it over the years.
The Women’s Reservation Bill, one of the most debated constitutional reforms in Indian politics, is expected to significantly increase the number of women representatives in elected bodies once it comes into effect after the necessary delimitation process.
Modi’s comments come amid heightened political campaigning, with parties increasingly focusing on social justice, representation, and gender equality as key electoral issues.
