New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on Members of Parliament to seize what he described as a rare opportunity to empower women and make them proud, urging them not to miss the moment.
In a statement, Modi said misconceptions spread about the bill had been answered, doubts clarified and issues that could trigger opposition had been addressed. He noted that for nearly four decades, the question of reservation for women had been caught in political manoeuvring.
Modi argued that it is unacceptable that Indian women continue to have limited representation in decision-making even decades after Independence. He appealed to MPs to vote in the Lok Sabha in support of women’s reservation after due consultation and with a sense of responsibility.
He also urged MPs not to do anything that could hurt the sentiments of “women power”, saying millions of women are watching Parliament and its intentions. Asking MPs to reflect on their mothers, sisters, daughters and wives, he called for the bill to be passed with broad consensus.
Modi said the measure would help women become more empowered and would further strengthen India’s democracy, calling on lawmakers to “create history” together and ensure rightful power for women who make up half the population.
