History was made in India last week when the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill 2023, which seeks to reserve 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, was passed by the Rajya Sabha with no disagreement, a day after easily passing the Lok Sabha.
The unanimous vote, a rare if not the only one so far, clears the way for the government to secure the President's assent - a prerequisite but yet a formality. Once enacted, the women's quota bill (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam) will automatically apply to assemblies of all states and UTs of Delhi and Puducherry.
According to government sources, the amendment does not need to be accepted by half of the states because Parliament has the authority to determine the membership of assemblies that are powerless to change the situation.
A tribute to countless women: Modi
"A defining moment in our country's democratic journey" is the passage of the women's reservation bill! Soon after the measure requiring a 33% quota for women in the nation's legislatures was approved by Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the people of India.
The PM, who was present in Rajya Sabha when the bill was put for voting, thanked all MPs who voted for the bill.“Such unanimous support is indeed gladdening,” he said in a post on X.
The PM said with the passage of the bill in Parliament, the country has ushered in an era of stronger representation and empowerment for the women of India.
Earlier in a brief intervention in Rajya Sabha just before the voting, the PM said, “This bill will lead to a new confidence in the people of the country. The bill would empower the women to come forward in leadership roles. It also shows the positive thinking of all the political parties which will give new energy to women’s empowerment. All members and political parties have played a significant role in empowering women and enhancing ‘Nari Shakti’. Let us give the country a strong message.”