Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday published a detailed letter on X addressed to the women of India, urging public support for a constitutional amendment to reserve seats for women in legislatures ahead of a special Parliament session scheduled for April 16–18, 2026. The letter, dedicated to “Nari Shakti” and posted on the occasion of Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, frames the measure as a long-pending reform and calls timely passage essential to justice for women.
Modi said Parliament will reconvene on April 16 to take up the amendment related to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and expressed hope it will be passed, noting there is “immense enthusiasm” among women across the country about greater political participation. He described the move as a step toward a more inclusive “Viksit Bharat.”
Highlighting recent social and economic gains, the Prime Minister pointed to the rising presence of women in startups, science, innovation, academia, arts and sports, noting Indian women athletes’ successes as inspiration for younger generations. He also cited grassroots advances-Self-Help Groups and the “Lakhpati Didis” initiative-as evidence of expanding women-led empowerment and financial self-reliance.
The letter placed the current push in historical context, noting that the idea of women’s reservation has enjoyed broad consensus for decades without reaching a “logical conclusion.” Modi referenced early efforts by Vallabhbhai Patel to reserve seats for women and contrasted India’s early adoption of equal voting rights with subsequent delays in securing women’s representation in legislative bodies.
Looking to India’s centenary of independence in 2047, Modi argued that women’s participation in policymaking is “absolutely non-negotiable” for achieving a developed nation. He said the principle guided the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in 2023 and underpins the present constitutional amendment effort. “When [women] become active participants in policy making and decision making, the journey towards a Viksit Bharat is strengthened,” he wrote.
Pressing for swift action, Modi warned that any further postponement would be unjust. He said timely implementation could allow the 2029 Lok Sabha and state assembly elections to be held with women’s reservation fully in place, and urged citizens-especially women-to write to their local MPs to support the measure, calling the upcoming parliamentary proceedings historic. “Any further delay will be unfortunate and a gross injustice to the women of India,” he added.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/will-be-gross-injustice-if-delayed-pm-modi-urges-support-for-womens-reservation-bill-ahead-of-parliament-session/articleshow/130250642.cms
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Publish Date: 2026-04-14 09:55:00
