Narendra Modi

Inthe coming days, India will be immersed in a festive season, with celebrations taking place across the length and breadth of the nation.

The people of Assam will mark Rongali Bihu while Odisha will celebrate Maha Bishuba Pana Sankranti. In West Bengal, Poila Boishakh will usher in the Bengali New Year and in Kerala, Vishu will be observed with immense enthusiasm. Tamil Nadu will celebrate Puthandu, while in Punjab and other parts of Northern India will rejoice Baisakhi, which will usher in a spirit of hope and positivity. I convey my best wishes to all those across India and the world on this festive occasion. May these auspicious occasions bring happiness and prosperity to everyone.

Furthermore, on April 11, we will commence the 200th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Phule and on the 14th, India will pay homage to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Jayanti.

In addition to these special occasions, when the spirit of renewal fills our hearts and minds, our nation stands at the threshold of another historic occasion. It is an opportunity to deepen the foundations of our democracy and to reaffirm our collective commitment to equality and inclusion.

On the 16th of April, Parliament will be convened to discuss and pass an important bill that advances women’s reservation. To describe this merely as a legislative exercise would be an understatement. It is a reflection of the aspirations of crores of women across India. It is an affirmation of a principle that has long guided our civilisational ethos, that society progresses when women progress.

Women constitute nearly half of India’s population. Their contributions to our nation are vast and invaluable. Today, India is witnessing remarkable achievements by women across every field. From science and technology to entrepreneurship, from sports to the armed forces and from music to arts, women are at the forefront of India’s progress.

Over the years, sustained efforts have been made to create an enabling environment for their empowerment. Greater access to education, improved healthcare, enhanced financial inclusion and better access to basic amenities have strengthened the foundations of women’s participation in economic and social life. Yet, their representation in the world of politics and legislative bodies has not always been commensurate with their role in society. This is particularly unfortunate because when they participate in administration and decision-making, they bring along experiences and insights that enrich public discourse and improve the quality of governance.

It is imperative that the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and Assembly elections to various states in the coming times are conducted with women’s reservation in place.

Over the decades, there have been repeated efforts to provide women with their rightful place in democratic institutions by the previous governments. Committees were made; bill drafts were introduced but they never saw the light of day. But the broad consensushas remained that women’s representation in legislative bodies must increase. In September 2023, Parliament passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam with the same spirit of consensus. I consider it to be among the most special occasions of my life.

This opportunity to ensure women’s reservation also resonates deeply with the spirit of our Constitution. The makers of our Constitution, notably the distinguished women members of the Constituent Assembly, envisioned a society where equality is both enshrined and realised in practice. Strengthening women’s participation in legislative institutions is an important step towards fulfilling that vision. It reflects our commitment to building a society where every citizen has an equal stake in shaping the nation’s destiny.

This is a moment that cannot be deferred any longer. Every delay in advancing women’s representation is, in effect, a delay in strengthening the quality and inclusiveness of our democracy.

For decades, the need for greater participation of women in legislative institutions has been acknowledged, discussed and reaffirmed. To postpone action now would mean extending an imbalance that we already recognise and have the capacity to correct. At a time when India is moving forward with confidence and purpose, it is essential that our institutions reflect the aspirations of all citizens, especially those who form half our population.

Timely action will not only honour long-standing commitments but also ensure that the momentum of progress is sustained. This is truly a historic opportunity to make our democracy more representative, responsive and future-ready.

This moment calls for collective action. It is not about any one government, party or individual. It is about the nation recognising the importance of this step and coming together to realise it. It is what we owe to our Nari Shakti.

That is why the passage of a bill for women’s reservation should reflect the broadest possible consensus and be guided by the larger national interest. Such opportunities call upon us to act not for ourselves, but for future generations. They remind us that the true strength of a democracy lies in its ability to evolve and to become more inclusive over time.

As we approach this historic Parliament sitting, I appeal to all Members of Parliament, across party lines, to come together in support of this important step for the women of India. Let us seize this opportunity with a sense of responsibility and purpose. Let us act in a manner that reflects the highest traditions of our democracy.

India has always shown that when it comes to matters of national importance, it can rise above differences and act with unity. This is one such moment.

Let us move forward together and strengthen Constitutional values and empower our Nari Shakti for national progress.

(The writer is the Prime Minister of India)