Kamal Ghorui
File photo: PM Modi (Picture credit: PTI)
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday wrote about women’s empowerment ahead of the special session of Parliament, sharing a video and a Sanskrit shloka on social media.In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the country is set to take a “historic step” in empowering women as lawmakers prepare to discuss an important bill regarding the women’s reservation framework.“Starting today, in the special session of Parliament, our country is about to take a historic step towards women’s empowerment. The respect for our mothers and sisters is the respect for the nation,” he wrote.The post included a Sanskrit verse which highlights the role of women in dispelling ignorance and illuminating society with knowledge.
Women’s reservation bill in focus
The special session, scheduled from April 16 to 18, is expected to take up an amendment to implement the women’s reservation law, aiming to ensure one-third representation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies from the 2029 general elections.The Centre is seeking broad political support for the move. Earlier, Modi had urged opposition parties to back the amendment, saying it reflects the aspirations of “every sister and daughter of this country”.Alongside the reservation bill, the government is also set to introduce key legislations, including the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026.
Opposition backs quota, raises concerns over delimitation
While opposition parties have expressed support for early implementation of women’s reservation, they have raised concerns over the proposed delimitation exercise tied to the reforms.Leaders are expected to meet to finalise their strategy for the session, even as protests have emerged in some states. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has opposed the delimitation proposal, calling for resistance against what he described as a move affecting state representation.The Centre has proposed increasing Lok Sabha seats from 543 to a maximum of 850 as part of the wider reform, a move that has triggered a broader political debate ahead of the session.
