Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today paid tribute to late Ash Bhosle in the Parliament session. The three-day special session began on April 16. Here is Om Birla’s complete tribute to the music legend.
“Honorable Members, it is with deep sadness that I inform the House of the demise of noted playback singer Smt. Asha Bhosle ji.”
Smt. Asha Bhosle was one of the most versatile and popular voices in Indian music. She has made significant contributions to Indian cinema and music for more than seven decades.
During his uniquely illustrious career, Smt. Asha Bhosle has sung songs in various Indian and foreign languages, gaining immense popularity and admiration in India and abroad.
In recognition of her exceptional contribution, she was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award, in 2008 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honor in the world of cinema, in 2012. In addition, she has won several national and international awards.
Smt. Asha Bhosle died at the age of 92 on 12 April 2026 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
This House expresses deep sorrow over the demise of our three late colleagues and Smt. Asha Bhosle and offers sincere condolences to the bereaved families.
The House is now silent in honor of the departed souls.”
All the members of the House then stood and remained silent before the start of the official meeting of the Parliament. During his tribute, Birla also paid tribute to Harinarayan Rajbhar. A former BJP MP from the Ghosi Lok Sabha constituency also died on April 12.
Extraordinary session of the parliament
A three-day special session of Parliament from April 16 to 18 focuses on a major set of laws related to women’s reservation. The redrawing of India’s electoral map will also be discussed. On April 16, the government plans to introduce three key bills in the Lok Sabha.
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 seeks to allow delimitation using data from the 2011 Census. The Delimitation Bill, 2026 proposes a new exercise and may increase the number of seats in the Lok Sabha from 543 to around 850.
The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Act aims to align seat allocation and extend women’s reservation to Union Territories with Assemblies. The main aim is to introduce 33% reservation for women before the 2029 elections. Around 273 to 283 seats could be reserved.
However, opposition parties fear that southern states may lose representation. A two-thirds majority is needed to pass laws. Protests are expected.
