Women members chant PM Modi’s name, present bouquet to him after historic passage of women’s quota Bill in Parliament

New Delhi: As the landmark women's reservation Bill, aptly titled 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', was passed by the Parliament on Thursday, marking a giant leap in the empowerment of one-half of the country's population, 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.

The Bill, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Parliament as well as the state legislative assemblies, was passed unanimously in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, with 214 members voting in support and none against.

Even as both the Houses were adjourned sine die after the women's quota cleared the final legislative hurdle in the Upper House, chants of 'Modi, Modi' rang out in the new Parliament complex as the women members mobbed PM Modi and exchanged compliments with him.

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.

Earlier, 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, saying 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 would instil new belief and confidence in the people. “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.

(ANI)