Key Highlights of PM Narendra Modi’s Speech on Women’s Quota Bill Defeat in Lok Sabha

The Women Reservation bill failed to secure the two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha, and as a result, the bill got rejected. On Saturday evening, PM Narendra Modi addressed the nation and apologised to sister and mothers of country. A day after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 failed in Lok Sabha due to Opposition unity, PM Modi addressed the nation, criticizing the Opposition for what he termed the "foeticide" of the Centre's efforts to ensure equality for women. 

PM Modi in his speech stated, "Today I'm here to discuss an important issue, especially for the women of this country. Every citizen of this country is witnessing how women's progress has stalled... Despite our best efforts, we haven't succeeded. Amendments could not be made in the Nari Shakti Adhiniyam. And I apologise to all the mothers and sisters of the nation for this.”

#WATCH | In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Today I'm here to discuss an important issue, especially for the women of this country. Every citizen of this country is witnessing how women's progress has stalled... Despite our best efforts, we haven't… pic.twitter.com/Y2s2hBUCz6

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2026

"Nation’s welfare is our priority, but when political benefit becomes the priority for some people, even bigger than the nation’s welfare, the women of the country have to bear the burden for this. The same happened this time as well.” “The country’s ‘Nari Shakti’ had to bear the burden of the selfish politics of parties like Congress, DMK, TMC and Samajwadi Party, ” He added. 

#WATCH | In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Nation’s welfare is our priority, but when political benefit becomes the priority for some people, even bigger than the nation’s welfare, the women of the country have to bear the burden for this. The same… pic.twitter.com/mAxFkMPYT7

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2026

PM Modi stated that he was sad to see that when proposal got rejected, opposition parties like the Congress, DMK, TMC, and Samajwadi Party were clapping with joy. These people were thumping the table after snatching away women's rights... This was an attack on women's self-respect and self-esteem. And women forget everything, but they never forget their own insults. Therefore, the pain of the behavior of the Congress and its allies in Parliament will always remain in every woman's heart. Whenever women across the country see these leaders in their constituencies, they will remember that these same people celebrated and rejoiced when women's reservation was blocked in Parliament.

#WATCH | In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "... I was deeply saddened to see that when this proposal for women's welfare was defeated, dynastic parties like the Congress, DMK, TMC, and Samajwadi Party were clapping with joy. These people were… pic.twitter.com/Q9MI9iBwSk

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2026

He further added that,  "Personally, I had hopes that the Congress would rectify its decades-old mistake, that it would atone for its sins. But Congress lost the opportunity to script history and stand in support of women. Congress has lost its existence in most of the regions of the country. Like a parasite, Congress piggyrides regional parties and keeps itself alive. But Congress does not even want regional parties to grow stronger. So, it hatched the political conspiracy of pushing the future of several regional parties into darkness by making them oppose this amendment."

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi says, "Personally, I had hopes that the Congress would rectify its decades-old mistake, that it would atone for its sins. But Congress lost the opportunity to script history and stand in support of women. Congress has lost its existence in most of the… pic.twitter.com/rijVlBAU5y

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2026

Taking Woman power for granted: While pointing out at the opposition mistakes Narendra Modi further stated, "I will say clearly to those parties who opposed the Nari Shakti Vandan Amendment in Parliament yesterday, These people are taking women's power for granted. They are forgetting that women of the twenty-first century are closely monitoring every event in the country. They understand their intentions and are fully aware of the truth. Therefore, the opposition will surely be punished for the sin they have committed by opposing women's reservation.  Congress, SP, DMK, TMC and other parties have made the same excuse all these years. Raising some technical issue, they have looted the rights of women. The nation has understood this ugly pattern of politics and has understood the reason behind this."

#WATCH | In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "I will say clearly to those parties who opposed the Nari Shakti Vandan Amendment in Parliament yesterday: These people are taking women's power for granted. They are forgetting that women of the… pic.twitter.com/0WE1i4MbDx

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2026

#WATCH | Speaking on Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, PM Narendra Modi says, "Congress, SP, DMK, TMC and other parties have made the same excuse all these years. Raising some technical issue, they have looted the rights of women. The nation has understood this ugly pattern of… pic.twitter.com/kyGMVdstjB

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2026

PM Narendra Modi says opposition is scared that if women gets empowered the leadership of these dynastic parties will be under threat and they would never want woman to get empowered. They would never want women outside their families to go ahead. Modi further added that these parties insulted the sentiments of the framers of the Constitution, and they will not be spared by the people's punishment for this. "The Nari Shakti Vandan Amendment was not about taking anything away from anyone, but about giving something to everyone. It was about giving women the rights that had been pending for 40 years, in the next elections in 2029... It was a 'Maha Yagya' to remove obstacles from their path... The Nari Shakti Vandan Amendment is the need of the hour...Congress and its allies have committed feticide of this endeavour in the Parliament in front of everyone. Parties like Congress, TMC, Samajwadi Party and DMK are responsible for this... They are the culprits of ‘Nari Shakti’ of the nation...”

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi says, "There is a big reason behind the opposition to Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam - the fear of these dynastic parties. They are scared that if women get empowered, the leadership of these dynastic parties will be threatened. They would never want women… pic.twitter.com/bJ1uRFyerm

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2026

#WATCH | In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "These parties also insulted the sentiments of the framers of the Constitution, and they will not be spared by the people's punishment for this. The Nari Shakti Vandan Amendment was not about taking… pic.twitter.com/EyAwPg7Y7Y

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2026

This amendment bill presented an opportunity for all parties and states to increase their representation. However, certain parties betrayed their constituents through selfish political maneuvering. DMK, TMC, and SP all squandered chances to empower their respective states and improve their image. SP, in particular, betrayed the ideals of Lohia by opposing the Nari Shakti Vandan amendment, revealing an anti-women stance that will not be forgotten. Similarly, Congress's opposition to women's reservation reinforces its image as an anti-reform party, obstructing progress towards a developed India.

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On Friday, the BJP-led government failed to secure the required two-thirds majority to pass the amendment bill. In the Lok Sabha voting, 298 members supported the bill while 230 opposed it. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed that the bill did not pass. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Centre would not proceed with the remaining interlinked legislations.