Prime Minister Narendra Modi blamed DMK and Congress for blocking the women’s reservation bill and warned women would rise at a Coimbatore rally on April 18[1][2].
The warning matters because the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill would have reserved 33% of seats for women in Parliament, a change seen as pivotal for gender equity in Indian politics[2].
Modi framed the defeat as "hatred and petty politics" aimed at women—an accusation he repeated throughout his speech, saying the opposition turned a "noble effort" into a target of animosity[2]—the bill’s failure could stall broader reforms for women's representation[4].
"I feel pain and anger over the failure of the women's reservation bill," Modi said[3]. "They have made the women's quota bill a target of hatred," he added[3]. "The women's reservation bill is a noble effort that has been derailed by the DMK and Congress," he said[4].
Opposition parties voted against the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill on Friday, April 19, confirming the coalition’s stance[5].
Modi also urged Tamil Nadu women to send a strong message on April 23, calling for a nationwide movement to pressure lawmakers and revive the quota proposal[2].
“I feel pain and anger over the failure of the women's reservation bill.”
The Prime Minister's remarks signal a heightened political battle over gender quotas, with the ruling party likely to mobilize women voters while opposition parties brace for criticism ahead of upcoming state elections.
