After the Womens Reservation Bill was cleared by the Lok Sabha, it also passed another litmus test in Rajya Sabha yesterday creating a historic day for the entire country. So, to celebrate this moment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen posing for photos with hordes of laughing, chattering women MPs at the new building close to midnight on the last day of the special session of the Parliament.PM Modi poses with women MPs after Rajya Sabha passes Womens BillThe group had gathered to record a historic moment – the passing of the womens reservation bill that allows them 33 per cent reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.#WATCH | Women MPs celebrate with PM Modi after the Womens Reservation Bill (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam) was passed in Rajya Sabha, earlier visuals. pic.twitter.com/b2gONclRal— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2023 A huge bouquet was presented to the prime minister and the women, cutting across party lines, offered sweets to each other.The much-awaited bill finally tasted success on Thursday with its passage in the Rajya Sabha. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.Moreover, the passage through Rajya Sabha was special as it was unanimous with no abstention or negative voting. There were two negative votes in the Lok Sabha yesterday. It got the approval of an overwhelming majority of 454 MPs, showing the opposition, despite its reservation about the time frame of implementation, had chosen to back the bill.PM Modi extends his gratitude to RS women MPsPM Modi called it a defining moment in the nations democratic journey.Taking it to X (formally known as Twitter), the prime minister has also extended his gratitude to the Upper House MPs, saying “I thank all the Rajya Sabha MPs who voted for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Such unanimous support is indeed gladdening.”A defining moment in our nations democratic journey! Congratulations to 140 crore Indians. I thank all the Rajya Sabha MPs who voted for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Such unanimous support is indeed gladdening. With the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in…— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 21, 2023 “This is not merely legislation it is a tribute to the countless women who have made our nation. India has been enriched by their resilience and contributions. As we celebrate today, we are reminded of the strength, courage, and indomitable spirit of all the women of our nation. This historic step is a commitment to ensuring their voices are heard even more effectively,” he added.Notably, the reservation can only be implemented after a census and delimitation exercise, which under the Constitutions Article 82, can be conducted after 2026, which pushes the implementation to 2029 or beyond. While the government has said that the census and delimitation will begin after next years general election, implementing the Womens Reservation Bill sooner may call for a constitutional amendment.Meanwhile, the opposition parties have put forward two demands during the special session of Parliament – immediate implementation of this bill and crate a sub-quota for women from Other Backward Classes.
