Why Did The Women’s Reservation Bill Fail? Key Highlights From PM Narendra Modi’s Address

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a strong attack on the Congress and its allies after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at granting 33% reservation to women in Parliament, failed to pass in the Lok Sabha. The Bill secured 298 votes in favour and 230 against, falling short of the required 352 votes.

Addressing the nation, the Prime Minister described the defeat as a serious setback to women’s empowerment and accused opposition parties of obstructing a long-pending reform.

“Women will never forget the opposition to the Bill by these parties and will teach them a lesson when they see their leaders in their constituencies. Women have noted that these parties have taken them for granted,” the Prime Minister stated.

PM Modi added that the bill addressed the need of the hour by ensuring a proportionate increase in the strength and representation of every state, whether in the North, South, East, or West, irrespective of their size or population density.

The Prime Minister alleged that Congress, DMK, Trinamool Congress, and the Samajwadi Party derailed the legislation through political motives, calling their actions detrimental to both constitutional values and women’s interests.

Bill’s Objective and Scope

PM Modi said that the Bill aims to ensure fair representation for women in the next Lok Sabha elections and does not take away rights from any group.

The Bill aimed to ensure adequate representation for women beginning with the next Lok Sabha elections, while addressing long-standing barriers that have restricted their progress for decades, the PM said in his address.

“The Bill was an attempt to give women their rights before the 2029 polls, an expectation that has been pending for 40 years,” he noted.

PM Modi further accused the Congress, saying it has historically opposed women’s reservation and is once again using misleading arguments and diversionary tactics to block the proposal.

The Prime Minister expressed disappointment that opposition parties did not use the opportunity to revise their stance.

Describing the amendment as a transformative step, Prime Minister Modi described the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan’ Amendment as a major national effort, comparing it to a sacred ‘Maha Yagna’ carried out with sincerity and clear purpose.

PM Modi asserted that the initiative aims at creating new opportunities for women in 21st-century India while removing obstacles that hinder their progress, allowing them to advance without constraints. He added that enhanced representation across states would strengthen federalism and amplify diverse voices in Parliament.

Reiterating his commitment to women’s empowerment, the Prime Minister asserted that meaningful progress in India cannot be achieved without giving women their rightful place in decision-making bodies.

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