PM Modi to Address Nari Shakti Sammelan, Focus on Women’s Political Participation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the national-level Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan today in New Delhi, emphasizing the government’s commitment to enhancing women’s participation in governance and nation-building. The event is expected to play a crucial role in shaping discussions around women’s representation in legislative bodies and advancing the vision of a developed India.

National Gathering to Promote Women’s Empowerment

The Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan will be held at Vigyan Bhawan, a prominent venue known for hosting high-level government events. The programme aims to bring together women from diverse backgrounds, including government officials, academicians, scientists, entrepreneurs, athletes, media professionals, and social workers.

This wide representation reflects the government’s intention to create an inclusive platform where women from all sectors can contribute to discussions on leadership, governance, and development. By fostering dialogue among such a diverse group, the Sammelan seeks to amplify women’s voices in shaping India’s future.

Focus on Women’s Representation in Governance

One of the key objectives of the Sammelan is to promote greater participation of women in Parliament and state legislative assemblies. In his message shared on social media platform X, PM Modi highlighted that the event would further discussions on ensuring women play a more active role in the journey towards a “Viksit Bharat.”

The emphasis is not just on symbolic representation but on meaningful participation in decision-making processes. Increasing women’s presence in legislative bodies is expected to bring diverse perspectives, improve policy outcomes, and strengthen democratic institutions.

Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam: A Landmark Reform

The discussions at the Sammelan are closely linked to the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023. This historic legislation, passed by Parliament in September 2023, provides for the reservation of one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.

The Act is widely regarded as a transformative step toward gender equality in Indian politics. By ensuring a fixed quota for women, it aims to address long-standing disparities in political representation and create opportunities for more women to enter public life.

Upcoming Parliamentary Session for Implementation

A special Parliament session is scheduled for April 16 to deliberate on the implementation of women’s reservation under the Act. This session is expected to focus on the procedural and constitutional requirements needed to operationalize the provisions of the legislation.

The government is preparing to introduce key amendments, including a separate Delimitation Bill, which will redefine constituency boundaries and ensure proper allocation of reserved seats. Both amendments will require approval as constitutional changes, highlighting the significance of the process.

Link to Census and Delimitation Process

A notable aspect of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is that its implementation is tied to the completion of a new census and subsequent delimitation exercise. However, due to delays in conducting the latest census, the government is considering moving forward using data from the 2011 census.

This decision is intended to avoid further delays in implementing women’s reservation while ensuring that the process remains constitutionally valid. The use of existing census data may serve as an interim measure until updated figures become available.

Possible Expansion of Lok Sabha Seats

As part of the proposed changes, the number of seats in the Lok Sabha could increase significantly—from the current 543 to approximately 816. This expansion is linked to the delimitation exercise, which aims to reflect population changes and ensure fair representation across constituencies.

The increase in seats would also facilitate the implementation of the one-third reservation for women without reducing the representation of existing constituencies. It represents a major structural shift in India’s parliamentary framework.

Reservation Framework and Key Provisions

While the Act ensures reservation for women, it maintains the existing provisions for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Seats reserved for SC/ST categories will continue as before, with a portion of those seats also allocated to women within those communities.

However, there is currently no provision for reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) under this framework. This aspect has been a topic of debate and may continue to be discussed in future policy deliberations.

Women at the Center of Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision

The Sammelan will also highlight the critical role of women in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047—a long-term goal of transforming India into a developed nation by its 100th year of independence.

The government has consistently emphasized “women-led development” as a central pillar of this vision. From grassroots governance in Panchayats to leadership roles in Parliament, women are increasingly being recognized as key drivers of social and economic progress.

By promoting gender inclusivity and empowering women across sectors, the initiative aims to build a more equitable and prosperous society.

Conclusion

The Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan represents a significant step in advancing the conversation around women’s empowerment and political participation in India. With strong policy backing through the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and upcoming legislative actions, the government is positioning women at the forefront of the country’s development journey.

As PM Modi addresses the gathering, the event is expected to reinforce the importance of inclusive governance and inspire greater participation of women in shaping India’s democratic and developmental future.