'Selfish Politics Of Opposition Robbed Women Of Their Rights': Top Quotes From PM Modi's Address After Women's Reservation Bill Defeated In Lok Sabha
· Free Press Journal
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the opposition, a day after the Women’s Reservation Bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha, as the opposition voted against it and the government failed to secure the two-thirds majority required for the constitutional amendment to be passed. Here are the top quotes from his address to the nation.
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Hits Out At Opposition
"The self-serving politics of parties like Congress, DMK, TMC, and the Samajwadi Party has come at the expense of the nation’s women," PM Modi said.
The self-serving politics of parties like Congress, DMK, TMC, and the Samajwadi Party has come at the expense of the nation’s women. Yesterday, crores of women across the country had their eyes on Parliament.
— BJP (@BJP4India) April 18, 2026
It was deeply painful to see that when this proposal in the interest… pic.twitter.com/AsdFguYRb4
Apology
PM Modi started his speech by saying, "The Women's Power Bill could not pass in Parliament. I apologize to all mothers and sisters for this."
आज मैं अपनी बहनों और बेटियों से बात करने के लिए आया हूं।
— BJP (@BJP4India) April 18, 2026
आज भारत का हर नागरिक देख रहा है कि कैसे भारत की नारी शक्ति की उड़ान को रोक दिया गया।
उनके सपनों को बेरहमी से कुचल दिया गया। हमारे भरसक प्रयास के बावजूद हम सफल नहीं हो पाए।
नारी शक्ति वंदन अधिनियम संसद में पास नहीं हो… pic.twitter.com/Q0yXKcTuhb
Slams Dynastic Parties
"Family-based parties like Congress, DMK, TMC, and SP were clapping gleefully.These people were thumping their desks after snatching away women's rights," PM Modi added.
कांग्रेस, डीएमके, टीएमसी और सपा जैसी परिवारवादी पार्टियां खुशी से तालियां बजा रही थी।
— BJP (@BJP4India) April 18, 2026
महिलाओं से उनके अधिकार छीनकर ये लोग मेजें थपथपा रहे थे।
उन्होंने जो किया, वो केवल टेबल पर थाप नहीं थी, वो नारी के स्वाभिमान पर, उसके आत्मसम्मान पर चोट थी।
- पीएम @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/sehyhmJ4z6
"A woman forgets everything, but she never forgets her insult. Therefore, the bitterness of the behavior of Congress and its allies in Parliament will always remain in the heart of every woman," PM Modi said.
#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
Hitting out at dynastic parties, he said, "One major reason for opposing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is the fear of these dynastic parties!"
#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
PM Modi's nation to the adress comes just a day after the bills were defeated in Lok Sabha.
About The Bill
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill aimed to increase the number of seats in the Lok Sabha from the existing 543 to 816, to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women. While 298 members voted in favour of the legislation, 230 MPs voted against it. The bill was defeated because, out of the 528 members who voted, it required 352 votes to secure a two-thirds majority.
Two other bills, including one on delimitation and increasing the number of seats in the lower house, were not put to a vote after the first one failed, with the Centre stating that they were “intrinsically linked” to the women’s reservation legislation.