New Delhi, April 16
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made a strong pitch for the inclusion of women in national policymaking and urged all political parties to pass the women's reservation Bill in Parliament by consensus, while offering to "give credit" to them for the historic amendment.
Speaking on the amendments to the women's reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi said the time has come to grant adequate representation to women at the national level, and those opposing it cannot hide behind "technical points and excuses" to delay it further.
He said the issue has remained unresolved for three decades and must now be cleared with unanimous support, adding that any delay is being closely watched and those attempting to scuttle it would be "suitably punished".
The Prime Minister also extended what he described as a "blank cheque" offer to Opposition members while exhorting them to support the Bill.
"We don't want credit. You pass it, I will issue an advertisement publishing your photos. I am offering you a blank cheque of credit," PM Modi asserted, amid sloganeering from the Opposition benches.
Notably, the special three-day sitting of Parliament is underway from April 16 to 18, and is expected to take up three contentious Bills -- The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026; and the Delimitation Bill, 2026.
PM Modi's other advice to the Opposition was not to block or stall 'nari shakti' from realising their ambitions and dreams, stating that such actions would prove detrimental.
Advising the Opposition against giving the Bill a political colour, he said everyone stands to gain if the women's reservation Bill becomes a reality.
He said women's representation at the grassroots level has already been achieved, and if the same is ensured in state and national legislatures, it will not only infuse greater sensitivity but also enrich the Houses with their experience and compassion. He added that there is no dearth of women's talent in the country.
Finally, taking a subtle jibe at the Opposition, he said Parliament already has adequate space to accommodate an increased number of lawmakers after delimitation, as the government had anticipated this and acted in advance by constructing a more spacious building.
- IANS
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