Golden moment in India's Parliamentary journey: PM Modi on Women's Reservation Bill

Making some brief remarks in the Lok Sabha at the start of day four of the special session of Parliament, the Prime Minister thanked all members of the House for backing the Bill, saying they were all parties to the "golden moment".

"Members of all parties and their leaders, both inside and outside the House, are all deserving partners in this".

He said the development will instil a new energy in India's "Matri Shakti".

"Yesterday's decision and today when we cross the last mile after Rajya Sabha passes the Bill today, will raise matri Shakti (power of women) in the country.

"It will create a level of confidence that will lead to the emergence of an unimaginable and unprecedented power that will take the country to new heights. I can feel this."

Calling it a "historic legislation" that will enable greater participation of women in the political process, the Prime Minister earlier took to X to thank the Lok Sabha members.

"The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is a historic legislation which will further boost women empowerment and will enable even greater participation of women in our political process" he tweeted on Wednesday.

The Lok Sabha almost unanimously passed the bill on Wednesday to reserve one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

The opposition parties, however, demanded immediate implementation of the Bill and inclusion of quota for Muslims and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

The government has said the Bill will come into effect after the Census is conducted across the country and the Delimitation Commission identifies the constituencies which would be reserved for women.

The bill received 454 votes in favour and only two votes against it on Day 3 of the five-day special session of Parliament.

The bill has been presented in the Rajya Sabha where discussion is underway.