"Could not have been better start to new Parliament": BJP chief Nadda after passage of women’s quota Bill
Sep 21, 2023

New Delhi [India], September 22 : As chants of 'Modi, Modi' from women members rang out following the passage of the landmark women's reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha, BJP national president JP Nadda on Thursday said there could not have been a better start to the new Parliament building.
He added that with the historic passage of this draft legislation, the country had taken a major step towards realising the long-pending rights of women.
The BJP national chief said the Bill, titled 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', not only represents a significant uptick in the representation of women in legislative bodies, including the Parliament, but will also inspire them to be involved more deeply in the country's legislative processes and decisions.
He said it would also drive women to be engaged more proactively in the shaping of an "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India).
Taking to his official handle on social media platform X, Nadda posted, "There could not have been a better start for the new Parliament building! Today, as a nation, we have ushered ourselves into a new era of women empowerment. With the passage of 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' by both houses of Parliament, we have moved towards providing a long-pending right to our women. Our Nari Shakti has already proven its mettle across all walks of life, and it is now imperative that they also participate overwhelmingly in law-making processes and contribute to our nation's growth in Amrit Kaal. This bill will not merely increase the representation of women in legislature but will inspire all of our women to play an instrumental role in shaping an Atmanirbhar Bharat."
"I wholeheartedly thank Hon. PM Shri @narendramodi Ji for his constant efforts to empower women," he added.
A day after it was cleared in Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the women’s reservation bill unanimously, with 214 members voting in support and none against.
Following the passage of the Bill, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha as well as the state legislative assemblies, both Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die.
Meanwhile, chants of 'Modi Modi' were raised by women MPs as they took turns to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the passage of the draft legislation.
Women members from both Houses of Parliament, including PT Usha, and Union Ministers Meenakashi Lekhi and Smriti Irani, were all smiles as they presented a bouquet to Prime Minister Modi on the historic passage of the Bill in Parliament.
Later, both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die.
Earlier, on Wednesday, the Bill aced the legislative test in the Lok Sabha as it was passed by a brute majority of 454 votes in favour and just 2 against.
Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal gave a brief reply to the day-long debate on the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the upper House of Parliament and said it will be implemented after following due process.
Ahead of the voting, PM Modi urged the Rajya Sabha members to pass the Bill unanimously.
He said the Bill will lead to a new confidence in the people of the country.
“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," he said.
The Rajya Sabha had earlier passed the Women’s Reservation Bill in 2010 during the Congress-led UPA government but it was not taken up in the Lok Sabha and subsequently lapsed in the lower House of Parliament.