PM Modi assures that the women’s quota won’t discriminate against or do injustice to anyone

He asserted that the government’s intent to fast-track the roll-out of 33% quota in parliament and state assemblies was to make amends.

On Thursday, Prime Minister of India, NarendraModi, spoke to lawmakers about the amendments to expedite the roll-out of the women’s reservation in legislative bodies by 2029. He assured lawmakers that the women’s quota, which includes the proposal for increasing Lok Sabha seats by 50% and delimitation based on the 2011 census, will not discriminate against or do injustice to anyone.

What did PM Modi speak about the bills?

The Delimitation Bill, 2026, the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-first Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, seek to raise Lok Sabha seats and conduct delimitation based on the latest, effectively the 2011 census figures, to roll out the quota from the 2029 general elections. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he sought to allay concerns of the Opposition that the bills would result in the Southern states losing their relative political power in Parliament and benefit the ruling BJP. He assured that the proportional representation of states in Parliament will remain the same, and the increase in the number of seats will not change it. The Opposition questioned the government over the absence of a guarantee that proportional representation will remain. They demanded to know why the assurance of a blanket 50% increase in the number of seats was not included in the draft bill as well.

“If you need a guarantee, I give you a guarantee.”

Giving it back to the Opposition, Modi said, “If you need a guarantee, I give you a guarantee. If you need a promise, I make a promise… because if the intention is clear, there is no need for wordplay.” He highlighted that the government’s intent to fast-track the roll out of 33% quota for women in Parliament and state assemblies was to make amends for denying them their rightful space in decision-making. He said, “We should not mislead ourselves into thinking that we are giving something to the women…It is their right, which we have held back for several decades. Today is the opportunity to atone for the sins…” He urged the Opposition to set aside political differences to pass the bills that require a two-thirds majority. He said that there was no personal glory driving him to push for the legislation. On this, he said, “If we all come together, it will not go in favour of any one person or party. It will go in favour of the country’s democracy and the country’s collective decision-making power. We will all share the glory…” He continued, “People think there is my self-interest… if you oppose it, it is obvious it will be. But if we all go together, then no one benefits. We do not want credit. I am ready to give credit.”

Modi emphasised how the issue has been debated for long, and the time has come for women to be given their space in decision-making. “In the last 25-30 years, women who won at the grassroots level in panchayat elections have gained political consciousness. Earlier, they stayed quiet, understood, but didn’t speak. They are opinion makers, and they are vocal. They are agitated, and they want to be added to decision-making, which happens in legislatures. Let 33% women come, they will decide who will come…why doubt their political acumen. More than the decision, it is the intent that will be examined, and any ill intention will not be forgiven by the women,” he ended.