“Golden chapter added to history of Indian democracy”: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

New Delhi [India]: Welcoming the passage of the women’s reservation Bill, or ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, in the Parliament on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said a golden, new chapter has been added to the history of Indian democracy.

On X, Singh posted, “With the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha today, a golden, new chapter has been added to the history of Indian democracy. I congratulate the Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi for this step which gives new energy and flight to women empowerment.”

“It is because of his strong will that this Bill secured passage in both Houses of the Parliament. Many congratulations to the 140 crore people of India,” the Defence Minister added in his post in Hindi.

The Rajya Sabha passed the women’s reservation bill unanimously on Thursday, with 214 members voting in support and none against.

Following the passage of the bill, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha as well as the state legislative assemblies, both Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die.

Meanwhile, chants of ‘Modi Modi’ were raised by women MPs as they took turns to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the passage of the draft legislation.

Women members from both Houses of Parliament, including PT Usha, and Union Ministers Meenakashi Lekhi and Smriti Irani, were all smiles as they presented a bouquet to Prime Minister Modi on the historic passage of the Bill in Parliament.

Later, both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die.

Earlier, on Wednesday, the Bill aced the legislative test in the Lok Sabha as it was passed by a brute majority of 454 votes in favour and just 2 against.

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal gave a brief reply to the day-long debate on the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the upper House of Parliament and said it will be implemented after following due process.

Ahead of the voting, PM Modi urged the Rajya Sabha members to pass the Bill unanimously.

He said the Bill will lead to a new confidence in the people of the country.

“All members and political parties have played a significant role in empowering women and enhancing ‘Nari Shakti’. Let us give the country a strong message,” he said.

The Rajya Sabha had earlier passed the Women’s Reservation Bill in 2010 during the Congress-led UPA government but it was not taken up in the Lok Sabha and subsequently lapsed in the lower House of Parliament.