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New Delhi, September 20 (IANS): The historic Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam or the women's reservation bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, by an overwhelming 454 votes, after a day-long discussion, with only AIMIM members Asaduddin Owaisi and his colleague Imtiaz Jaleel voting against it.
The 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill was passed after voting, where 454 members voted in favour of the bill, while two AIMIM members voted against it.
Speaking to reporters later, Owaisi contended that he voted against the bill as "the justification that is being given for the bill is that more women will get elected to Parliament. If that is the justification, why that justification is not being extended to the OBC and Muslim women whose representation in this august House is minimal".
Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam a historic legislation: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday thanked MPs across party lines as the Lok Sabha passed the Women’s Reservation Bill, saying that it is a historic legislation that will further boost women empowerment and will enable greater participation of women in the political process.
In a post on X, former Twitter, Modi said: "Delighted at the passage of The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha with such phenomenal support. I thank MPs across Party lines who voted in support of this Bill."
The bill grants 33 per cent seats to women in the lower house and state Assemblies.
