Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Terming the failure of the passage of the Constitution 131st Amendment Bill, 2026 – aimed at fresh delimitation, raising the number of seats in the House and operationalising reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies – as a blow to the self-respect of women, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “women may forget everything else, but they never forget an insult to their pride.”
In his Address to the Nation on April 18, PM Modi launched a scathing attack on the Opposition and accused them of bhrun-hatya (foeticide) by blocking the women’s quota legislation. He said there will be more opportunities going ahead and his Government and party were determined to eliminate every ‘blockade’ in its way.
Deep apologies
Expressing profound sorrow over the stalling of women’s progress, the PM noted that despite the Government’s utmost and sincere efforts, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Amendment failed to pass, effectively crushing the legitimate dreams of the female population. “I deeply apologise to all the mothers and sisters of the nation for this unfortunate outcome,” said Modi.
Launches scathing attack on Oppn in Address to the Nation
The Prime Minister highlighted that women of India are acutely aware of the malicious intentions and will hold the offending politicians strictly accountable in the future. Detailing the transformative vision of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Amendment, the Prime Minister explained that it was a grand effort designed to grant long-pending rights and create new opportunities for half the population.
The PM said the delimitation Bill aimed to remove systemic obstacles and equally amplify the political power of all states, regardless of their size or geography. “This amendment was a sincere effort to make women equal co-travellers in India’s development journey,” pointed out PM Modi.
He said that dynastic parties are terrified that empowered women from outside their families will threaten their localised leadership. He highlighted that the thousands of capable women serving in panchayats pose a direct challenge to the deeply entrenched insecurity of dynastic politicians.
False narratives
Dismantling the false narratives regarding delimitation, the Prime Minister clarified that the Government had explicitly ensured no state would lose representation, as all states would see their seats increase in equal, fair proportion.
Highlighting the missed opportunities for regional growth, the Prime Minister stated that the amendment would have significantly increased parliamentary seats for states like Tamil Nadu, Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
Listing a series of transformative initiatives opposed earlier, the Prime Minister pointed out that the Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile trinity, digital payments, GST, and the law against Triple Talaq were also resisted.
Tracing India’s historical developmental delays, the Prime Minister stated that the persistent strategy of sweeping necessary decisions under the carpet allowed other nations to surpass India post-Independence.
Crucial resolutions
He highlighted that 40 years have been spent stalling crucial national resolutions, including border dispute settlements, OBC reservations, and the One Rank One Pension scheme for soldiers.
The Prime Minister noted that generations of Indians have suffered deeply due to such indecision and deceit. He emphasised that the current political battle is not just about a single piece of legislation, but a broader war against a deeply negative, anti-reform mentality.
“I have no doubt that all the sisters and daughters of the country will give a fitting reply to this toxic mentality,” pointed out PM Modi.
Dismantling the false narratives regarding delimitation, the PM clarified that the Government had explicitly ensured no state would lose representation, as all states would see their seats increase in equal, fair proportion