As Parliament prepared for a decisive vote on a landmark constitutional amendment aimed at expanding women’s representation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday issued a direct and emotive appeal to Members of Parliament, urging them to rise above party lines and act in the larger national interest.
In a message posted on X, Modi called on lawmakers to “listen to your conscience while remembering the mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives in your homes,” framing the moment as both personal and historic.
He described the proposed amendment as a rare opportunity to “serve and honour the women of our nation,” while cautioning against any move that might deny them greater participation in public life.
“This is a significant moment,” the Prime Minister said, adding, “Do not deprive them of new opportunities.” His remarks come amid an intense debate in the Lok Sabha over provisions related to women’s reservation, a long-pending reform that has seen multiple iterations and political contestation over the years.
The government has maintained that the amendment represents a transformative step toward inclusive governance, aiming to ensure greater representation of women in legislative bodies. While broad political consensus exists in principle, disagreements have surfaced over implementation details, including the timing and linkage with delimitation exercises.
Seeking to build unanimity, Modi underscored the wider democratic implications of the bill’s passage. “If this amendment is passed unanimously, the women of the country will be further empowered… and so will our democracy,” he said, signaling the government’s push for a rare show of collective political will.
The Prime Minister concluded his appeal with a call for unity, urging MPs to “create history” by supporting the measure. “Let us give India’s women—half of the nation’s population—the rights they deserve,” he said.
The appeal comes at a critical juncture, with voting expected after a prolonged and often heated debate, making the outcome not just a legislative milestone but a test of Parliament’s ability to converge on a reform with far-reaching social and political consequences.
