Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation, says that the country is watching how the “desires and dreams of the women have been crushed”.
“Nari Shakti (women’s power) and the country’s benefit have to take the hit. It was very sad to see that when the Bill was defeated. These guys were celebrating and banging the bench,” he said.
Editorial | Deservedly dead: On the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026
His address comes one day after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha.
Under the Bill, Lok Sabha seats were to be increased up to 816 from the current 543 to “operationalise” the women’s reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. Seats were also to be increased in the State and Union Territory assemblies to accommodate 33% reservation for women.
