. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the failure of the women’s reservation bill was a setback for women across the country and apologised for not being able to ensure its passage despite efforts by his government.This follows a major setback for the government in the Lok Sabha on Friday. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposed 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures and an increase in Lok Sabha seats to 816, was defeated. The proposal aimed to increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816 to implement women’s reservation ahead of the 2029 parliamentary elections, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. It also planned to expand seats in state and Union Territory assemblies to accommodate the quota.Top quotes from PM’s address:“Today, I have come to speak to the mothers, sisters, and daughters of the country. Today, every citizen of India is seeing how the dreams of India’s women power have been crushed mercilessly. Despite our best efforts, we could not succeed. For this, I sincerely apologise to all mothers and sisters.””For us, national interest comes first. But for some people, when party interest becomes everything, then women’s empowerment and the nation’s interest suffer. That is what has happened this time as well. The selfish politics of parties like Congress, DMK, TMC and SP has cost the women of this country.””I felt hurt to see that when the bill for women’s welfare was defeated, parties like Congress and DMK were clapping and thumping desks. What they did was not just noise on the table, it was a blow to the dignity of women.”“A woman may forget everything, but she never forgets her insult. That pain of their behaviour will remain in the heart of every woman. Whenever the women of this country see these leaders in their areas, they will remember that these were the very people who celebrated stopping women’s reservation in Parliament.”“Congress and its allied parties are constantly spreading lies in the country. They are trying to use this as a pretext to fuel the fire of division. ‘Divide and rule’—this is the kind of politics Congress has inherited from the British. That is why this false narrative is being spread that some states will suffer due to delimitation. The government has clearly stated that seats in all states will increase in equal proportion.”“After delimitation, there would have been more seats for women, and their representation would have increased. That is why they opposed the Nari Shakti Vandan Amendment. The women of this country will never forgive Congress and its allies for this wrongdoing.”This is a developing story.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosYogi Adityanath Alleges ‘Identity Crisis’ In Bengal, Targets TMC Over GovernanceBJP Leaders Protest Outside Rahul’s Residence Over Women Quota Bill; Hema Malini, Bansuri Lead10th Indian Vessel Crosses Strait Of Hormuz Since Conflict Began”Women Were Being Used” Tharoor Backs Women’s Reservation, Warns On Delimitation Issue: “You’re Firing… After Clearance!” India-Flagged Ship’s Last Words Before Hormuz TurnbackNation Awaits PM Modi’s Address As Women Bill Fails And Hormuz Crisis Escalates‘Not A Failure Of The Government’: Why Rijiju Is Blaming The Opposition For Women’s Bill Defeat’Black Day For Centre’: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Blasts Delimitation ‘Conspiracy’ By Modi GovtIndia Reviews Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request As Dhaka Pushes For TrialAllahabad High Court Directs FIR Against Rahul Gandhi, Revives Dual Citizenship Controversy123PhotostoriesAkshaya Tritiya 2026: Buy these 5 things for good fortune5 grand palaces that are now world-famous museums7 factors driving real estate growth in India’s non-metro cities7 foods in your kitchen that actually came from PersiaAlia-Ranbir to Saif-Kareena: 5 celebrity weddings that completely rewrote the Indian shaadi style rulebook’The Devil Wears Prada 2′ to ‘The Odyssey,’ and more: Hollywood’s biggest 2026 Summer releases10 iconic biryani varieties in India you probably haven’t tried yetThings you should NEVER Do on Akshaya Tritiya based on your birth dateTop 5 residential hotspots in Nagpur for upscale living and long-term investment potentialIndian dishes astronauts took to space and why they chose them123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the failure of the women’s reservation bill was a setback for women across the country and apologised for not being able to ensure its passage despite efforts by his government.This follows a major setback for the government in the Lok Sabha on Friday. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposed 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures and an increase in Lok Sabha seats to 816, was defeated. The proposal aimed to increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816 to implement women’s reservation ahead of the 2029 parliamentary elections, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. It also planned to expand seats in state and Union Territory assemblies to accommodate the quota.
Top quotes from PM’s address:
- “Today, I have come to speak to the mothers, sisters, and daughters of the country. Today, every citizen of India is seeing how the dreams of India’s women power have been crushed mercilessly. Despite our best efforts, we could not succeed. For this, I sincerely apologise to all mothers and sisters.”
- “For us, national interest comes first. But for some people, when party interest becomes everything, then women’s empowerment and the nation’s interest suffer. That is what has happened this time as well. The selfish politics of parties like
Congress , DMK, TMC and SP has cost the women of this country.” - “I felt hurt to see that when the bill for women’s welfare was defeated, parties like Congress and DMK were clapping and thumping desks. What they did was not just noise on the table, it was a blow to the dignity of women.”
- “A woman may forget everything, but she never forgets her insult. That pain of their behaviour will remain in the heart of every woman. Whenever the women of this country see these leaders in their areas, they will remember that these were the very people who celebrated stopping women’s reservation in Parliament.”
- “Congress and its allied parties are constantly spreading lies in the country. They are trying to use this as a pretext to fuel the fire of division. ‘Divide and rule’—this is the kind of politics Congress has inherited from the British. That is why this false narrative is being spread that some states will suffer due to delimitation. The government has clearly stated that seats in all states will increase in equal proportion.”
- “After delimitation, there would have been more seats for women, and their representation would have increased. That is why they opposed the Nari Shakti Vandan Amendment. The women of this country will never forgive Congress and its allies for this wrongdoing.”
This is a developing story.
