Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday shared a detailed letter addressed to the women of India, dedicated to “Nari Shakti” and reiterating the government’s push for reservation for women in legislative bodies. Posting the letter on X, the Prime Minister said women across the country are appreciating the initiative to ensure their representation, calling it a long-pending reform, and urged public support ahead of a special Parliament session from April 16 to 18.Posting the letter on X, the Prime Minister said women across the country are appreciating the initiative to ensure their representation, calling it a long-pending reform.
In his letter, PM Modi hailed Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on the occasion of his birth anniversary, recalling his contribution to nation-building and constitutional values.The Prime Minister said Parliament would reconvene on April 16 to take up a constitutional amendment related to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, expressing hope that it would be passed. He added that there is “immense enthusiasm” among women nationwide over the prospect of greater participation in shaping a “Viksit Bharat.”In the letter, the Prime Minister highlighted women’s growing presence across sectors including startups, science, innovation, academia, arts and sports, describing it as one of the most significant developments of recent times. He noted that Indian women athletes are winning medals, breaking records and inspiring younger generations.He also pointed to grassroots efforts such as Self-Help Groups and “Lakhpati Didis” as examples of expanding women-led empowerment and self-reliance across the country.PM Modi said the issue has seen broad consensus for decades but has not reached a “logical conclusion.” He referenced early efforts by Vallabhbhai Patel to reserve seats for women and contrasted India’s early adoption of equal voting rights with delays seen in other countries.Looking ahead to 2047, when India will mark 100 years of independence, the Prime Minister said women’s participation in policy-making is “absolutely non-negotiable” for achieving the goal of a developed nation. He added that this principle guided the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in 2023 and underpins the current push for a constitutional amendment.“As the people of India immerse themselves in realising the dream of a Viksit Bharat by then, let us ensure that justice is done to the aspirations of India’s Nari Shakti, which is almost half of our population. When they become active participants in policy making and decision making, the journey towards a Viksit Bharat is strengthened”, he wrote.The PM stressed that timely implementation is crucial, stating that further delay would be “unfortunate” and unjust to women. “It is important that we all come together and ensure that women’s representation in legislative bodies is introduced in letter and spirit at the very earliest. Our democracy will become stronger and more vibrant if the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and various Assembly elections that year are held with women’s reservation fully in place. And for that, the upcoming legislation in Parliament should be passed. Any further delay will be unfortunate and a gross injustice to the women of India”, the PM wrote.He also expressed the view that elections in 2029 could be held with women’s reservation fully in place if the legislation is passed, while also urging the citizens, especially women, to write to their local MPs to support the measure, describing the upcoming Parliament proceedings as historic.
