New Delhi, Apr 15 (PTI) Former president Pratibha Patil, ex-Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar and BSP chief Mayawati have welcomed the initiative to amend the Women’s Reservation Act for its implementation in 2029, saying the move will strengthen India’s democratic framework by ensuring greater representation of women in legislative bodies.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Patil said the landmark constitutional amendment legislation will formally recognise the immense potential of women, and institutionalise pathways for their leadership at the highest levels of governance.
Separately, Meira Kumar and Mayawati said even though it has been a long wait, the implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in the country’s legislative bodies would be a happy ending after a long struggle.
A special three-day sitting of Parliament has been convened from April 16 to 18, during which amendments to the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, commonly known as the Women’s Reservation Act, mandating 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, will be brought for implementation in 2029.
“I extend my heartfelt appreciation for the initiative for the historic implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. As the first woman president of India, I have long championed the belief that genuine women’s empowerment can only be achieved by providing them equal opportunities to shape decisions that affect the nation.
“This amendment is far more than a legal provision; it is a powerful affirmation of our collective resolve to advance gender equality, foster inclusive governance, and build a stronger, more progressive India,” Patil said in her letter.
The former president said the enhanced presence of women in Parliament and state legislatures will undoubtedly enrich legislative debates with diverse perspectives and lead to more balanced and empathetic policy outcomes.
She said India has consistently witnessed the extraordinary contributions of women across every sphere of national development.
“This legislation formally recognises their immense potential and institutionalises pathways for their leadership at the highest levels of governance.
“I am confident that this progressive initiative will ignite the aspirations of countless women, particularly from rural and marginalised communities, encouraging them to pursue leadership roles and contribute meaningfully to nation-building. It also sends a clear and powerful message to the world about India’s unwavering commitment to gender justice and inclusive democracy.
“I commend the leaders, and all stakeholders, who worked tirelessly over the years to turn this long-cherished dream into reality… With best wishes for sustained efforts towards women’s empowerment and national progress,” the former president said.
Meira Kumar said the struggle for 33 per cent reservation for women has been going on for the last 30 years, when, for the first time, a joint parliamentary committee headed by Geeta Mukherjee examined a draft bill in 1996 and made certain recommendations.
“This fight has been going on for 30 years, since the Geeta Mukherjee committee was formed. I was a member of that committee. Once the amendments are finally approved, then only will we feel that our struggle has become successful,” she said.
Kumar was present at a national-level meeting – ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan’ – in Delhi on Monday to spread awareness about the women’s quota bill, which was addressed by Prime Minister Modi.
India stands on the brink of making one of the most significant decisions of the 21st century as Parliament meets to end “decades of waiting” by amending the Women’s Reservation Act for its implementation in 2029, the prime minister said.
Addressing journalists in Lucknow, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati welcomed the proposal for 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state legislatures from 2029, despite “it coming after a long delay”.
However, Mayawati said while her party welcomes the move, there are serious doubts whether women from SC, ST and OBC communities would get the full benefit in the absence of a separate quota for them.
Now that Parliament has moved to provide reservations to women in legislatures, “no obstacles should be created in its implementation”, Mayawati said.
According to the draft bill circulated among the MPs, Lok Sabha seats will be increased to up to 850 from the current 543 to “operationalise” the women’s reservation law in 2029, after a delimitation exercise to be carried out based on the 2011 Census.
Seats would also be increased in state and UT assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women.
In September 2023, Parliament passed the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, marking a significant step towards enhancing women’s representation in legislative bodies.
The Act provided for the reservation of one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.
The provision to provide 33 per cent reservation to women was brought by amending the Constitution in 2023.
Under the current law, the reservation for women would not become enforceable before 2034, as it was tied to the completion of the delimitation exercise post the 2027 Census.
To implement it from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, changes were needed in the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam; hence, the government is holding a special sitting to pass the amendments to the law. PTI ACB ARI
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