Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a blistering attack on the Opposition after the government failed to pass the women’s reservation amendment and two other key bills in the Lok Sabha.
Addressing the nation a day after the setback, the Prime Minister accused Opposition parties of “selfish politics” and said they had “robbed women of their rights.” “Even though we did not secure the required 66 per cent votes, I am certain that 100 per cent of the country’s women power stands with us,” he said.
Taking direct aim at parties such as the Indian National Congress, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, PM Modi alleged their leaders “celebrated” the bill’s defeat.
“They were clapping in Parliament when women were denied what they rightfully deserve. This is an attack on women’s self-respect,” he said, adding that women “will not forget this injustice.”
In a strong warning, the Prime Minister said the Opposition would face consequences from women voters. “Whenever women encounter these leaders, they will remember who extinguished the hope of reservation,” he said.
Calling the proposed law a long-overdue reform, PM Modi said it aimed to grant women their rightful representation after “40 years of delay” and ensure its implementation by the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
“This was never about taking anything away from anyone. It was about giving — about making women equal partners in India’s progress,” he said, describing the effort as essential to strengthening democracy across regions.
In one of his sharpest remarks, the Prime Minister accused the Opposition of committing a “foeticide” of the reform. “They have committed an offence against the Constitution and the women of this country,” he said, alleging that attempts to block women’s reservation have a long history.
He also said he had hoped the Congress would “rectify past mistakes” but had instead “missed the opportunity to stand on the right side of history.”
Despite the setback, sources indicated that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is exploring options to revive the legislation. The ruling coalition currently holds 293 seats in the Lok Sabha — about 54 per cent — short of the two-thirds majority required, while the Opposition has 233 MPs.
The government remains committed to pushing the bill, sources said, adding that consultations are underway to secure broader support or alternative pathways to pass the legislation.
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