‘Respecting women is respecting the country’: PM Modi talks women’s reservation bill ahead of special session of Parliament

“Beginning today, in a special session of Parliament, our country is about to take a historic step in the empowerment of women. Respect for our mothers and sisters is respect for the country,” he wrote.The post also included a Sanskrit verse highlighting the role of women in eradicating ignorance and illuminating society with knowledge.

Female booking bill focus

The special session scheduled from April 16 to 18 is expected to discuss an amendment to implement the Women’s Reservation Act aimed at ensuring one-third representation of women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies in the 2029 general elections.The center is seeking broad political support for the move. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi urged the opposition parties to support the amendment, saying it reflected the aspirations of “every sister and daughter of this country”.In addition to the reservation bill, the government will also introduce key legislation including the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2026 and the Delimitation Bill 2026.

Opposition expresses concern over demarcation

While the opposition parties expressed support for early implementation of women’s reservation, they expressed concerns over the proposed delimitation exercise associated with the reforms.Although protests have already taken place in some states, leaders are expected to meet to finalize strategy for the conference. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin has opposed the delimitation proposal, calling for a boycott of the move which he said would affect the state’s representation.The Center has proposed increasing the number of seats in the Lok Sabha from 543 to a maximum of 850 as part of wider reforms, a move that has triggered wider political debate ahead of the session.