NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a powerful appeal to all Members of Parliament to transcend party lines and support the upcoming amendments to the Women’s Reservation Act. In a signed article released on Thursday, the Prime Minister emphasized that the move is a vital reflection of the aspirations of millions of Indian women and a necessary step to deepen the nation’s democratic foundations.
The government has convened a special three-day session of Parliament from April 16 to 18 specifically to discuss and pass these landmark amendments.
Accelerating Implementation: From 2034 to 2029
The core of the proposed legislative change is the timeline for implementation. While the original 2023 Act was tied to a future census and delimitation exercise—effectively pushing reservation to 2034—the new amendments aim to bring the law into force for the 2029 General Elections.
Key highlights of the proposed transition include:
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Seat Expansion: The total number of Lok Sabha seats is set to increase from 543 to 816.
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Reserved Berths: Out of the expanded House, 273 seats will be strictly reserved for women.
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New Basis for Redrawing: The redrawing of constituencies (delimitation) will now be conducted based on the 2011 Census rather than the proposed 2027 Census, allowing for an immediate rollout.
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State Assemblies: A similar pro-rata reservation exercise will be implemented across all state legislative bodies.
“A Moment That Cannot Be Deferred”
In his address, PM Modi highlighted that women constitute nearly half of India’s population and are already leading the nation’s progress in science, the armed forces, and entrepreneurship. However, he noted that their representation in legislative bodies has not yet matched their societal contributions.
“Every delay in advancing women’s representation is, in effect, a delay in strengthening the quality and inclusiveness of our democracy,” the Prime Minister stated, adding that the 2029 elections must be conducted with these reservations in place.
A Call for Legislative Unity
The Prime Minister’s appeal serves as a precursor to the April 16 session, where the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ will be the central focus. By shifting the delimitation criteria to the 2011 Census, the government seeks to bypass the technical delays that previously stalled the Act’s execution.
As the nation stands on the threshold of this historic shift, the Prime Minister urged lawmakers to act with a “sense of responsibility and purpose,” ensuring that the Indian Parliament reflects the true diversity and strength of its people.
