PM Modi says in his address to the nation, "I have come to seek forgiveness from the daughters of the country."
New Delhi: Following the failure to pass the Women's Reservation Bill 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an address to the nation, apologized to the mothers and sisters of the country. In an emotional tone, he stated, "I have come to seek forgiveness from the daughters of the nation; despite my utmost efforts, I was unable to secure the passage of this crucial bill." Describing this issue as one linked to the dignity of 'Nari Shakti' (women's power), the Prime Minister asserted that the rights of women had been trampled upon due to the actions of certain political parties.
PM's Apology Regarding Women's Reservation
Politics Intensifies Over 'Nari Shakti' Issue
Statement on the Bill Being Stalled in Parliament
PM Launches Direct Attack on the Opposition
Fierce Battle Over Daughters' Rights
Controversy Surrounding Women's Reservation Escalates
Political Clash Over Women's Dignity
PM Says: Failed Despite Best Efforts
Politics Heats Up Over Reservation Bill
Major Debate on Women's Rights
In his address, the Prime Minister remarked, "A woman may forget everything else, but she never forgets an insult. Today, every woman in the country will remember this incident—and who it was that placed obstacles in the path of her rights." Explicitly targeting opposition parties—specifically the Congress, TMC, Samajwadi Party, and DMK—he alleged that their political ambitions had prevented women from securing their rightful entitlements.
PM Modi asserted that opposition parties such as the Congress, TMC, and DMK are culpable for this "infanticide" of the bill. He declared them to be offenders against the country's Constitution and criminals against the cause of women's empowerment. He warned that those who have deprived half of the population of their rights will surely face punishment for this sin.
The Prime Minister stated that the government had made it clear from the very outset that, following the delimitation exercise, no state's share of seats would be reduced, and the seat allocation for all states would increase in a proportionate manner. Despite this assurance, the opposition parties refused to accept the proposal and instead engaged in spreading confusion. He alleged, "Certain parties are engaging in divisive politics within the country by spreading falsehoods—a tactic that is merely a continuation of the age-old 'divide and rule' mindset."
In his address, Prime Minister Modi characterized the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Amendment' as the need of the hour, emphasizing that the bill was introduced not to deprive anyone of anything, but rather to grant women their rightful entitlements. He asserted that this amendment represented a significant stride toward realizing women's rights—rights that had remained pending for 40 years—by paving the way for their implementation starting with the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Launching a scathing attack on the opposition, PM Modi stated, "By stalling this bill in Parliament, the opposition has abruptly halted the process of women's empowerment. This constitutes an injustice against the dreams of the nation's women." He characterized this action as being contrary to the spirit of democracy and equal participation.
Political analysts believe that this issue has brought about a new turning point in the country's politics. While the ruling party is framing this as a battle for women's rights, the opposition views it through a different lens. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister's emotive address has succeeded in taking this issue to the masses.
Following this statement, political activity has intensified across the country. Reactions from women's organizations and social activists have also begun to surface. In several regions, women have expressed their indignation regarding this issue, while certain sections of society have voiced their support for the government's efforts.
In the days to come, it will be crucial to observe whether the issue of women's reservation is raised once again in Parliament and whether all political parties can reach a consensus. For the time being, the Prime Minister's address has made it abundantly clear that the government has no intention of backing down on this issue, and that efforts to secure women's rights will continue in the future.