New Delhi- Sep – 29-2023: The “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhniyam,” which grants 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, has officially become law after receiving assent from President Droupadi Murmu. Last week, the bill was unanimously passed by the Rajya Sabha, marking the first legislative achievement in the new Parliament building.
On September 20, the bill received overwhelming support in the Rajya Sabha, with 454 members voting in favor and only two opposing its passage. Amendments proposed by opposition members were rejected, and separate clauses of the draft legislation were put to a vote.
The following day, on September 21, the “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhniyam” received unanimous approval in the Rajya Sabha, coinciding with the Prime Minister’s birthday on the Hindu calendar. Women members from both Houses of Parliament, including PT Usha, Union Ministers Meenakshi Lekhi and Smriti Irani, expressed their joy as they presented a bouquet to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in celebration of the historic passage of the bill.
While the Rajya Sabha had previously passed the Women’s Reservation Bill in 2010 during the Congress-led UPA government, it had not been taken up in the Lok Sabha and subsequently lapsed in the lower House of Parliament.
Following the successful passage of the bill in both Houses last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked that the “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhniyam” would usher in a new era of enhanced representation and empowerment for women in India.
In his social media statement, PM Modi said, “A defining moment in our nation’s democratic journey! Congratulations to 140 crore Indians. I thank all the Rajya Sabha MPs who voted for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhniyam. Such unanimous support is indeed gladdening. With the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhniyam in Parliament, we usher in an era of stronger representation and empowerment for the women of India. This is not merely legislation; it is a tribute to the countless women who have made our nation. India has been enriched by their resilience and contributions.”
Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi also praised PM Modi for the passage of the bill, stating that it would be remembered in history for empowering women.
While the bill received broad support from opposition leaders, some raised concerns about the lack of an OBC sub-quota in the draft legislation.
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha, a key advocate for legislation promoting fairer representation of women in law-making bodies, described the passage of the quota Bill in Parliament as a significant step toward stronger and more meaningful participation of women in the country’s political process. However, she added, “There are a couple of omissions that catch one’s eye. The non-provision of a sub-quota for OBC women is painful. They should have added a sub-quota in the Bill to ensure similar representation of women from backward classes in the country’s legislative process.”
