Addressing the nation on Saturday, a day after the women’s reservation bill collapsed in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized opposition parties for “celebrating selfish politics”. The Lok Sabha Constitution Amendment Bill to amend women’s reservation was defeated in the Lok Sabha after 298 members voted in favor and 230 against.
Addressing the nation, Prime Minister Modi said millions of women across the country watched Parliament yesterday.
“I am here today to discuss an important issue, especially for women in this country. Every citizen of this country is witnessing how the progress of women has come to a standstill… Despite our best efforts, we have failed. It was not possible to make changes in Nari Shakti Adhiniyam. And I apologize to all the mothers and sisters in the country for that,” he said.
Here are 10 highlights from PM Modi’s speech
– Prime Minister Modi slammed the Congress and other opposition parties and said that party interest becomes everything for some. “When party interest overshadows the interest of the nation, then woman power, the interest of the nation… must bear the consequences. That’s exactly what happened this time.”
– He said: “Every citizen of India is watching how the dreams of our women have been destroyed. I am asking for forgiveness from all women in the country.”
– Calling the defeat “selfish politics”, PM Modi said Indian women saw parties like Congress, TMC and DMK “celebrating it against our women power”.
– The Prime Minister also said that the opposition had “committed a sin” by opposing reservation for women. He said, “Parties like Congress, DMK, TMC and Samajwadi Party have committed feticide by defeating the Women’s Reservation Act. They will surely be punished for it.”
– “Opposition parties have insulted our constitution by defeating the women’s reservation bill in the legislatures,” he said.
– Talking about the Women’s Reservation Bill, the Prime Minister said that it aims to “give wings of power to our women without taking anything away from anyone”.
– “I expected Congress to correct its past mistakes, but they missed an opportunity to write a new history. Family parties don’t want women to come forward because women might end up with their selfish politics,” he said.
– He also accused the Congress of pursuing divisive politics and alleged that they were spreading falsehoods about the North-South divide. “Congress has always believed in the politics of dividing the people, so they are spreading lies about North-South division,” he said.
– He said that a woman forgets everything “but not her insult.” “This insult to the Congress and its allies will always remain in the heart of every woman,” PM Modi said.
– The Prime Minister said that the Nari Shakti Vandan amendment was the need of the hour and “we may not have got the required 66% votes for the bill, but I know I have the blessings of our women and we are steadfast in our decision.”
