'Defining moment...': PM Modi lauds MPs as Parliament clears Women's Reservation Bill 2023 in historic move

The Women Reservation Bill, 2023, or the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies and is now set to become a law after the President gives her assent to it.

New Delhi:In a historic development, the Women's Reservation Bill, 2023 was cleared by Rajya Sabha on Thursday, a day after it was passed with a whopping majority in the Lok Sabha.

The Women Reservation Bill, 2023, or the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, which will provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, is set to become a law after the President gives her assent to it.

Rajya Sabha unanimously passed the motion to consider the Women's Reservation Bill. All 215 members present supported the motion to consider the bill. The MPs voted in favour of the bill using the automatic voting technology installed in the house.

After the voting concluded, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar announced: "Hon'ble Members, subject to correction - 'ayes' are 215 in number, 'nos' : 0, abstention: 0. The motion is adopted. A historic achievement. Congratulations!" The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday with the support of the 2/3rd majority of the MPs (454 members supported, two members opposed).

PM Narendra Modi thanked MPs for clearing the Women's Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha and said the bill will lead to new confidence in citizens and rejuvenate women's empowerment. "This bill will lead to a new confidence in the people of the country. It also shows the positive thinking of all the political parties which will give new energy to women's empowerment," PM Modi said in Rajya Sabha.

Soon after the bill was cleared by Rajya Sabha, PM Modi, in a post on X, called it a "defining moment" in India's democratic journey. "A defining moment in our nation's democratic journey! Congratulations to 140 crore Indians. I thank all the Rajya Sabha MPs who voted for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Such unanimous support is indeed gladdening.

With the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament, we usher in an era of stronger representation and empowerment for the women of India. This is not merely a legislation; it is a tribute to the countless women who have made our nation. India has been enriched by their resilience and contributions. As we celebrate today, we are reminded of the strength, courage, and indomitable spirit of all the women of our nation. This historic step is a commitment to ensuring their voices are heard even more effectively," PM Modi said in the post.

As the parliament has now cleared the bill, the Women's Reservation Bill will now go to President Droupadi Murmu for her assent. Once the bill gets the assent of the President and is notified by the government, it will become a law.

Home Minister Amit Shah called it a "historic milestone" and said Prime Minister Modi had sent a "powerful message" of gender equality to the world.

"Where there is a will there is a way. A historic milestone was achieved today on the path of equitable governance as the Rajya Sabha has passed the women's reservation bill. By fulfilling a long-pending demand, PM @narendramodi Ji has sent a powerful message of gender equality and inclusive governance across the world. My heartfelt gratitude to Modi Ji and congratulations to every citizen," Shah tweeted.

Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government convened the special session to give a good start to the new building of Parliament by pushing one of the best bills -- the Women's Reservation Bill.

Making intervention in the discussion on the Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha, she asserted that the BJP does not play politics in matters related to women. Sitharaman said the bill was "long overdue" and it was important to pass the proposed legislation with consensus.

On why the government has convened a special session of Parliament, Sitharaman said, "We have come into a new complex, new building for Parliament, new India. We would like this Parliament to deal with one of the best bills that it can deal with." The finance minister said Parliament has taken up this bill for passage and it is a "very good start" to the building which has been constructed for the next 100 years.

Sitharaman said the bill has been thoughtfully crafted, especially considering that "we are at a critical stage of development". Responding to the "well-meaning" suggestion for reservation for women in Rajya Sabha and legislative councils as well, she said it would not be workable because the members are elected through indirect elections.