Following the near-unanimous passage of the Women's Reservation Bill by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill reservation, which would have granted women 33 per cent of the seats in the Lok Sabha and Assemblies of State, was approved by the Rajya Sabha with 215 votes in favour and no votes against.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the "unanimous" passage of the women's quota bill, titled "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam," as a historic moment and congratulated fellow citizens, saying that it would usher in a new era of women's empowerment in the nation by allowing for a more equitable representation of "Nari Shakti" in legislative bodies.
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PM Modi said the women's quota bill would ensure that women, who make up half of the nation's population and play an "invaluable role" in nation-building, receive the respect they deserve.
"A historic moment in our country's democratic journey! Many congratulations to 140 crore Indians! Heartfelt gratitude to all the MPs of Rajya Sabha for voting for the bill related to Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Its unanimous passage is very encouraging. With the passage of this bill, the representation of women's power will be strengthened and a new era of their empowerment will begin," PM Modi wrote on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).
"This is not just a law, as it has also given our mothers, sisters and daughters, who play an invaluable role in nation-building, their rights. With this historic step, the voices of crores of women will become louder and their strength, courage and capability will be acknowledged," PM Modi added further.
Women Members Chant PM Modi After Women's Reservation Bill Passed In Parliament
After the Women's Reservation Bill was passed by the Parliament on Thursday, chants of 'Modi Modi' were raised by women MPs as they thanked the prime minister for the passage of the draft legislation. Women members from both Houses of Parliament, including PT Usha, and Union Ministers Meenakshi Lekhi and Smriti Irani, were all smiles as they presented a bouquet to PM Modi on the historic passage of the Bill in Parliament.
Women members from both Houses of Parliament presented bouquets to PM Modi after the historic passage of the women’s quota Bill in Parliament (Image credits: @narendramodi/X)
"Had the honour of meeting our dynamic women MPs who are absolutely thrilled at the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. It is gladdening to see the torchbearers of change come together to celebrate the very legislation they have championed. With the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, India stands at the cusp of a brighter, more inclusive future with our Nari Shakti being at the core of this transformation," PM Modi wrote on X.