Women’s Reservation Act Comes into Force; PM Modi Hails Nari Shakti as Pillar of Strong India

New Delhi, Apr 17: The Women’s Reservation Act, 2023, officially came into force, marking a significant step towards enhancing women’s representation in India’s legislative bodies. The landmark law provides for one-third reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, including the Delhi Assembly.

Also known as the One Hundred and Sixth Constitutional Amendment Act or Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the legislation was passed by Parliament in 2023 and is seen as a major milestone in promoting gender equity in public life across the federal structure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed the importance of women’s empowerment, describing Nari Shakti as the hallmark of a strong India. Sharing a Sanskrit Subhashitam on social media, he highlighted the role of women in nation-building, stating that mothers, sisters and daughters are contributing to the country’s progress with dedication, resolve and a spirit of service.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the notification of the Act aims to implement long-pending provisions and stressed that the move is part of an ongoing process. He urged opposition parties not to politicise the issue.

Political reactions to the development were largely positive. BJP MP Dinesh Sharma termed the legislation historic and said it provides an opportunity for the opposition to reassess its past approach towards women’s empowerment, while criticising the Congress for its record.

Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Jha welcomed the move, calling it a long-awaited reform. He noted that Bihar’s experience with over 50 per cent women’s representation in Panchayats has already demonstrated the impact of empowering women at the grassroots level.

BJP MP Laxmi Verma from Chhattisgarh described the Act as a moment of pride and credited the government for advancing women’s participation in governance. She said the measure will open new leadership opportunities and contribute to India’s long-term vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

The implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act is expected to significantly reshape India’s political landscape by ensuring greater participation of women in decision-making processes. (Agencies)