New Delhi: India is all set to take one of the greatest decisions of the 21st century, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday, reiterating his government’s push for the timely implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam—or women’s reservation law—through a special session of Parliament starting 16 April.
Addressing the Nari Shakti Vandan programme at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi Monday, the PM recalled the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act in the new Parliament building in 2023. Modi said it was passed unanimously, with all parties agreeing that it should be implemented by 2029.
“Our effort and priority is that this work should be accomplished through dialogue, cooperation and participation, which will enhance the dignity of Parliament,” he added.
During his speech, he cited an example of how women used to be treated in their own homes and how things have changed now.
“Usually, when a father and son talk about some business affairs, and if the mother brings tea and stands for a while, they say, go, go to the kitchen, we are talking. Main grihasth nahi hoon par pata bohot hai (I am not a householder (family man), but I know a lot). Now, when she has become economically strong, even the son says, ‘please call mother to join the conversation, call her’,” he added.
मैं गृहस्थी नहीं हूं, पर मुझे बहुत पता है!
सुनिए, पीएम मोदी ने ऐसा क्यों कहा… pic.twitter.com/dKEfudep8U
— BJP (@BJP4India) April 13, 2026
Modi further spoke about the work undertaken by his government for the welfare of the women, adding that despite not being a family man, he understands the pain a woman endures.
“Earlier, family property was mainly in the name of men. If there was a house, it was in the man’s name; if there was land, it was in the man’s name; if there was a shop, it was in the man’s name; if there was a vehicle, it was in the man’s name; even a scooter was in the man’s name, and this was taken as natural. In the ‘PM Awas Yojana’, we started registering houses primarily in the names of women of the family. When children go to school, naturally the father’s name is written, so we decided that the mother’s name will also be written,” he said.
The prime minister said that in the past 11 years, “over 3 crore women have benefited from this decision, becoming owners of their own houses”.
“This has made women economically empowered in households,” he further said.
Urging other political parties to extend their support, the PM said: “This will not be a subject of this party or that party, who won, who lost, who did it, no one; all the credit is to the mothers of the country, all the credit is to the Parliament of the country, all the credit is to all the political parties of India, all the credit is to all those who have been continuously working for the past 3–4 decades. This belongs to everyone, it is with everyone’s cooperation, and it is for everyone’s welfare.”
Referring to various studies, the PM said that when women’s participation in decision‑making processes increased, it brought sensitivity to systems. This, he added, has led to more dedicated work on issues like water, education, health and nutrition. “The success of Jal Jeevan Mission is an example where women’s participation at the panchayat level has played a major role,” he further said.
Highlighting women’s leadership in the startup revolution, Modi said that over 45 percent of registered startups have at least one woman working as a director.
To garner support for the Bill, Delhi BJP’s women leaders have also released a phone number for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. An appeal was also made by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta who was present at the Monday programme to give a missed call on a number to extend their support to the legislation.
The Opposition, especially the Congress, has been critical of the government’s decision to call for a Parliament session. Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi Monday said that delimitation, and not reservation for women in legislatures, is the real issue over which the Centre has called a special session of Parliament this week.
Her comments, published as an op‑ed in a newspaper, follow the PM’s letter to political parties seeking support for an amendment to the Women’s Reservation Bill.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
Also Read: ‘Parliament to discuss & pass women’s reservation Bill on 16 April, I appeal to MPs to support it’