Nari Shakti, why only 33 pc, PM saab
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Free Thinker
We are going to make history within a few days from now by making 33% women’s reservation implementable from 2029, in our legislative bodies - Lok Sabha & State Assemblies. Actually the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Act 2023 (Women’s reservation Act) is expected to be enforced by 2033 . Things have changed – the government is in a hurry – the present political dispensation does not want our women waiting for long . Now, Lok Sabha seat capacity is going to be increased from 543 to 816 (50% augmentation) and State Assemblies will also increase their seats by half.
Nari Shakti in Manipur is already there in all fields except politics. This legislation will empower them in politics too – we will have more women legislators. If the relevant amendments are made in the existing Nari Shakti Act it is imperative that the 2029 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are conducted with women’s reservation in place
No one and no political party will oppose the passage of the proposed bills which are likely to be passed in the 3 days - extended Budget Session, 2026 (16,17&18 April). This is going to be a historic Parliament sitting – passing the laws by consensus – for women empowerment. Members of Parliament across party lines will support this legislation ( Constitution Amendments). He added, “ Lus seize this opportunity with a sense of responsibility and purpose. Let us act in a manner that reflects the highest traditions of our democracy”.
We may recall that in 1993 through the 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendments more than 14 lac women were elected as representatives of the local bodies – Pachayats , Municipalities and Nagar-palikas . It has no doubt changed the pattern of women’s participation in the local politics and administration particularly in the village areas and within urban local bodies. That is not enough.
Women’s representation in the State Assemblies and in Parliament is still very low. For instance, today in Parliament women represent only 14 % - this is slightly better than the scenario of the 50’s. In 1951-52 women’s representation in Parliament was abysmally low at 5 %. In a country where the male-female population is almost 50-50 the number of women lawmakers is too little to make a difference.
Some opposition parties may not be happy about the timing of this proposed legislation – just before the Bengal and Tamil Nadu State elections. No one is sure that such a legislative decision may swing the elections in these two States. But certainly the women folks will be happy about this turning point. In a way the opposition parties are trapped in a ‘catch 22 situation’ - they can neither oppose the women’s reservation and its enabling law – nor directly support the proposed government legislation.
Politics is all about timings; whether the opposition parties are happy or unhappy about the timing of the legislative changes – women citizens and more particularly the lady politicians will be elated. Because, now they don’t need to wait till 2033 for the enforcement of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam law ( 33 % women’s reservation in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies).
During the Constituent Assembly also – there were discussions on the issue of women’s reservation. In fact a debate was raised in the Constituent Assembly but it was deemed unnecessary as women and men were to have equal rights - that was a very fundamental issue before the Constitution framers. ‘Equality’ was made precedence to anything else; it was one of the basic foundations of our Democratic Constitutional set-up.
Many attempts were made in the past to pass the 33% women’s reservation bill – but it could not be passed in Parliament – mainly due to lack of strong political will, consensus and determination. Legislative attempts were made for women’s reservation in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2008. But the law could not be enacted for women’s reservation in Parliament till 2023.
The political will and commitment became brawny and in September 2023 Parliament passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam with a spirit of consensus and unanimity. Political determination was perhaps stronger on the part of ruling parties. You may or may not like the way they function but they have the ability to expedite things emphatically.
This is going to be an opportunity to strengthen the foundations of our democracy and to reaffirm our collective commitment to equality and inclusivity. It is a moment which cannot be delayed any further. Every delay in advancing women’s representation is, in fact, a delay in strengthening the quality of our encompassing democracy. It calls for collective action. It is not about any one government, party or individual. It is about the nation and it is about nari shakti.
In the words of the incumbent Prime Minister, “this is truly a historic opportunity to make our democracy more representative, responsive and future-ready”.
Finally , Mr. Prime Minister, my daughter has an innocuous question for all of us - why not 50 % since we(women) constitute 50% of the total population and why it is termed ‘reservation’ & why not allocation or share.
We are going to make history within a few days from now by making 33% women’s reservation implementable from 2029, in our legislative bodies - Lok Sabha & State Assemblies. Actually the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Act 2023 (Women’s reservation Act) is expected to be enforced by 2033 . Things have changed – the government is in a hurry – the present political dispensation does not want our women waiting for long . Now, Lok Sabha seat capacity is going to be increased from 543 to 816 (50% augmentation) and State Assemblies will also increase their seats by half.
Nari Shakti in Manipur is already there in all fields except politics. This legislation will empower them in politics too – we will have more women legislators. If the relevant amendments are made in the existing Nari Shakti Act it is imperative that the 2029 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are conducted with women’s reservation in place
No one and no political party will oppose the passage of the proposed bills which are likely to be passed in the 3 days - extended Budget Session, 2026 (16,17&18 April). This is going to be a historic Parliament sitting – passing the laws by consensus – for women empowerment. Members of Parliament across party lines will support this legislation ( Constitution Amendments). He added, “ Lus seize this opportunity with a sense of responsibility and purpose. Let us act in a manner that reflects the highest traditions of our democracy”.
We may recall that in 1993 through the 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendments more than 14 lac women were elected as representatives of the local bodies – Pachayats , Municipalities and Nagar-palikas . It has no doubt changed the pattern of women’s participation in the local politics and administration particularly in the village areas and within urban local bodies. That is not enough.
Women’s representation in the State Assemblies and in Parliament is still very low. For instance, today in Parliament women represent only 14 % - this is slightly better than the scenario of the 50’s. In 1951-52 women’s representation in Parliament was abysmally low at 5 %. In a country where the male-female population is almost 50-50 the number of women lawmakers is too little to make a difference.
Some opposition parties may not be happy about the timing of this proposed legislation – just before the Bengal and Tamil Nadu State elections. No one is sure that such a legislative decision may swing the elections in these two States. But certainly the women folks will be happy about this turning point. In a way the opposition parties are trapped in a ‘catch 22 situation’ - they can neither oppose the women’s reservation and its enabling law – nor directly support the proposed government legislation.
Politics is all about timings; whether the opposition parties are happy or unhappy about the timing of the legislative changes – women citizens and more particularly the lady politicians will be elated. Because, now they don’t need to wait till 2033 for the enforcement of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam law ( 33 % women’s reservation in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies).
During the Constituent Assembly also – there were discussions on the issue of women’s reservation. In fact a debate was raised in the Constituent Assembly but it was deemed unnecessary as women and men were to have equal rights - that was a very fundamental issue before the Constitution framers. ‘Equality’ was made precedence to anything else; it was one of the basic foundations of our Democratic Constitutional set-up.
Many attempts were made in the past to pass the 33% women’s reservation bill – but it could not be passed in Parliament – mainly due to lack of strong political will, consensus and determination. Legislative attempts were made for women’s reservation in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2008. But the law could not be enacted for women’s reservation in Parliament till 2023.
The political will and commitment became brawny and in September 2023 Parliament passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam with a spirit of consensus and unanimity. Political determination was perhaps stronger on the part of ruling parties. You may or may not like the way they function but they have the ability to expedite things emphatically.
This is going to be an opportunity to strengthen the foundations of our democracy and to reaffirm our collective commitment to equality and inclusivity. It is a moment which cannot be delayed any further. Every delay in advancing women’s representation is, in fact, a delay in strengthening the quality of our encompassing democracy. It calls for collective action. It is not about any one government, party or individual. It is about the nation and it is about nari shakti.
In the words of the incumbent Prime Minister, “this is truly a historic opportunity to make our democracy more representative, responsive and future-ready”.
Finally , Mr. Prime Minister, my daughter has an innocuous question for all of us - why not 50 % since we(women) constitute 50% of the total population and why it is termed ‘reservation’ & why not allocation or share.