Opposing Women’s Quota Will Cost Dearly: PM Modi

New Delhi: “Those who oppose the women’s reservation bill today will have to pay the price for a long, long time,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, as he strongly backed the proposed legislation and cautioned the Opposition against resisting greater political participation for women.

Addressing the House during the special session convened to take up the Women’s Reservation Bill and delimitation-related measures, Mr. Modi said India’s vision of becoming a developed nation could not be achieved without women’s active role in policymaking.

“A developed India does not mean only good infrastructure. It also means participation of women in decision-making,” the Prime Minister said, describing the proposed legislation as a significant step towards Viksit Bharat.

The Bill seeks to reserve 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha for women and proposes an expansion in the total strength of the Lower House to 815 seats, of which 273 would be reserved for women. The Centre has indicated that it intends to move ahead with implementation using the 2011 Census data after delays in the national census process.

Mr. Modi said resistance to women’s reservation in the past remained confined largely to political circles, but the political landscape had since changed. Referring to the growing participation of women in grassroots governance, he said women who had emerged through panchayat elections were now politically aware and influential.

“Everybody who has objected to reservation of women in any field has not been spared by women,” he said, adding that the issue should not be reduced to a political narrative.

The Prime Minister appealed to members across party lines to support the amendment and allow greater female representation in Parliament. “Have faith in the women of the country and in their decisions. Let 33% women come to Parliament, and then let them make decisions,” he said.

As Mr. Modi continued his speech, sections of the Opposition raised slogans in the House, leading to interruptions during the proceedings. The special session is expected to continue discussions on the proposed constitutional amendments over the coming days.