New Delhi, Apr 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the country has a historic opportunity to empower women

Addressing the Lok Sabha, PM Modi said that including women in decision making was key to building a developed India.

Acknowledging that the discussion on the important bill had commenced early in the morning, he said that many colleagues had effectively touched upon crucial issues while relying on facts and logic.

Observing that crucial moments arrive in the life of a nation, the PM said that the societal mindset and leadership capability of the time capture such moments to forge a strong national legacy.

Affirming that the current juncture represents a similarly historic moment in India’s parliamentary democracy, he said that this idea should have been fully implemented 25 to 30 years ago to reach maturity by today.

Highlighting India’s identity as the “mother of democracy”, PM Modi said that all House members had received an auspicious opportunity to add a new, reformative dimension to a millennia-old legacy. Reaffirming that making half of the country’s population active participants in policy-making was an incredible privilege, he urged all Members of Parliament not to let this vital opportunity slip away.

Focusing strictly on the transformative effort underway, the PM said that all Indians together were preparing to infuse the governance system with deep sensitivity to determine the future condition of the country.

“We stand at such a crucial turning point where the nectar emerging from this churning will decide the nation’s direction,” he said.

Acknowledging the new self-confidence of India in the 21st century, PM Modi said that the entire nation was currently experiencing widespread global acceptance, making it a moment of immense pride tied to the resolution of a developed India.

He said that his vision of a developed India transcends superior infrastructure and requires the meaningful integration of the ‘SabkaSaath, SabkaVikas’ mantra into policy-making.

Emphasising that making 50 percent of the population a part of policy formulation was an urgent demand, the PM pointed out that despite past delays, no party opposed the bill in principle during his extensive private consultations.

Stating that history proves collective action ultimately favours the nation’s democracy rather than individual political entities, he said that the credit belongs to the entire House rather than just the treasury benches or himself.

“Therefore, I feel there is absolutely no need to give this a political color, as everyone’s true benefit lies in supporting it,” PM Modi said.

Reflecting on his past as an organisational worker outside formal governance, he said recalled prevalent corridor discussions questioning the selective ease with which reservations were granted at the Panchayat level.

The PM said that leaders were comfortable allocating quotas in Panchayats simply because they did not fear losing their own immediate positions or power.

Pointing out the deep-seated reluctance of higher officials to implement quotas that threatened their own stakes, he said, “ This protective mindset allowed local reservations to successfully reach 50 percent without affecting the Parliament.”

Warning against underestimating historical shifts, PM Modi said that unlike 25 or 30 years ago, opposition to women’s rights today resonates deeply below the political surface.

Pointing out that a profound political consciousness has developed, he said that the millions of women who have won Panchayat elections have evolved from silent observers into highly vocal grassroots opinion makers.

Acknowledging that these experienced women have deeply managed public grievances, the PM said that they are now highly agitated and demanding inclusion in the primary decision-making processes of the Legislative Assemblies and Parliament. Advising all ambitious politicians to recognise this shift, he said that these millions of female leaderswoulf now heavily influence future electoral outcomes across all constituencies.

PM Modi urged the House to place complete trust in the understanding of the nation’s women.

He said that once the 33 percent representation is achieved, female legislators will be perfectly capable of deciding further sub-allocations for different classes and groups without requiring patriarchal oversight.

Acknowledging his own roots in an extremely backward community, the PM said that his paramount constitutional duty is to take every section of society along.

He said that the constitution remains strictly supreme for him, highlighting it as the very force that allowed a marginalised individual to assume such a massive national responsibility.

“Why do we doubt their capabilities; let the women come forward and decide,” PM Modi said.

Observing the phenomenal achievements across all spheres of life, he said that women power is nowhere behind in elevating the pride and hoisting the flag of the nation.

The PM said that mothers, sisters, and daughters are making immense and outstanding contributions that allow the entire country to hold its head high with pride.

Questioning the rationale behind expending so much political energy to block such a highly capable demographic, he said that integrating women into legislative bodies would exponentially increase the nation’s overall capacity.

PM Modi appealed to the lawmakers to evaluate this monumental step based on national interest rather than petty electoral calculus.

“I appeal to you not to weigh this on the scales of politics,” he said.

Highlighting the immediate task at hand, the PM said that the current opportunity demands unified thinking to secure women’s participation in building a developed India with an open mind.

He reiterated that while the entire nation will analyse the final legislative decision, the female electorate would scrutinise the underlying intentions even more closely. Warning the assembly of the consequences of political malice, PM Modi said that any deliberate flaw in their intentions will face severe backlash.

“The women of this country will never forgive any flaw in our intentions,” he said.

Recalling the unanimous and joyous acceptance of the act in the new Parliament building in 2023, the PM said that it successfully generated a positive, non-partisan atmosphere nationwide.

Addressing concerns regarding census data and delimitation, he said that historical timelines and the massive disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic clearly explained the implementation delays.

Stating that extensive discussions in 2023 highlighted a widespread urgency to act quickly, PM Modi said that while immediate implementation was impossible before 2024, missing the 2029 opportunity would permanently shatter public trust.

He said that endless delays would make it impossible to convince the female demographic that the political establishment is truly committed to their empowerment. Noting that comprehensive structural and informal consultations have been held with political parties and activists, the PM said that these dialogues are crucial to formulating a viable path forward.

“It is the absolute demand of the time that we do not delay this any further,” he said.

Issuing a stern reminder of constitutional duties, PM Modi sais that no member sitting in the House has the right to view the country in fragmented pieces or make geographically divided decisions.

He said that whether it was Kashmir or Kanyakumari, the sacred oaths taken by parliamentarians dictate a fundamental responsibility to act exclusively as one unified nation.

Strongly condemning the baseless political whirlwinds created through absolute falsehoods, the PM said from the floor of the House that the new delimitation processes will absolutely not discriminate against any state or region.

He said that the demographic proportions established during previous governments would be strictly maintained, ensuring that seat increases occur fairly without any detrimental alterations.

Asserting his total sincerity, PM Modi said that he is fully prepared to use the strongest words of assurance, including regional terms in Tamil, to eliminate any need for political wordplay.

“This decision-making process will absolutely not do injustice to anyone,” he said.

Addressing the lawmakers, the PM said that no one should operate under the arrogant illusion that they are magnanimously ‘giving’ something to the women of India, as it is their right.

He said that the entire political establishment is collectively guilty of withholding this right for decades, making this bill a necessary act of atonement. Pointing out the historical hypocrisy where politicians feigned support while systematically sabotaging the bill with technical caveats, PM Modi said that the era of openly opposing the reservation is long gone.

He said that the women of the country could no longer be deceived by complex procedural excuses to delay progress.

Urging the members to abandon their blockades, the PM argued that three decades of obstruction using various technical tangles is more than enough time to reflect on past failures.

“You have stopped it for three decades, now you must finally do it,” he said.

Declaring a complete disinterest in claiming personal or party credit, PM Modi said that a unified approach transforms the narrative entirely and neutralises partisan gains. Elevating the philosophical context of the bill, he said that women’s participation in parliamentary democracy transcends mere statistical adjustments and represents India’s profound cultural commitment as the Mother of Democracy.

The PM said that this very commitment successfully established 50 percent reservation in Panchayats across more than 20 states, yielding incredibly positive results. Reflecting on his extensive tenure as a Chief Minister, he shared that his firsthand experience with grassroots women’s leadership revealed their highly effective and sensitive approach to problem-solving.

PM Modi said that female leaders consistently acted as vital catalysts in accelerating the broader journey of developmental progress through empathetic governance.

Affirming that introducing this massive demographic into the House will infuse national policymaking with new strength, he said that combining lived experience with factual logic multiplies legislative capability exponentially.

“Their voices will become a powerful new strength and deeply enrich the House,” the PM said.

He said that there is an absolute abundance of highly experienced and capable women power in the country ready to serve.

PM Modi said that placing firm trust in these women will guarantee exceptional and highly beneficial contributions to the nation’s governance.

Acknowledging the female representatives already serving, he said that they consistently present well-articulated and profound perspectives whenever given the floor.

“They have already enriched the House wonderfully with their capable contributions,” the PM said.

Providing concrete data to support his stance, he said that nearly 275 women are currently leading over 650 district panchayats, managing massive responsibilities and budgets that often exceed those of a central cabinet minister. PM Modi said that out of approximately 6700 block panchayats, more than 2700 are successfully functioning under the direct and capable leadership of women.

Pointing out their urban influence, he said that women are powerfully directing local bodies, serving as Mayors and standing committee heads in over 900 cities.

The PM said that passing the reservation bill is a critical opportunity for the nation to gratefully acknowledge and repay the profound debt owed to these grassroots leaders for the country’s rapid progress. “When this vast administrative experience joins the House, it will multiply our strength immensely,” he said.

PM Modi said that the current moment demands breaking free from past limitations to courageously ensure the active participation of women power in national development.

Firmly urging the House to advance the legislation with total unanimity, he said that a collective co

nsensus generates positive pressure on the treasury benches to honor everyone’s rights without harm.

“We get many exceptional results from collective strength,” the PM said.

Concluding his primary arguments, he reiterated that half of the population possesses an undeniable right to sit in the House.

Addressing debates regarding seat numbers, PM Modi said that expanding the total seats accommodates the 33 percent quota smoothly without displacing existing members or violating established rights.

He said that the new Parliament building was specifically pre-planned to house this additional legislative strength.