Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to all opposition parties in the Lok Sabha for support on the Women’s Reservation Bill and urged them to rise above political differences. He light-heartedly teased Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, creating a relaxed atmosphere in Parliament.
Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha is the lower house of India’s bicameral Parliament, located in New Delhi. It was established under the Constitution of India in 1952, following the nation’s independence, and its members are directly elected by the people. As the primary legislative body, it holds significant power, including overseeing the government and approving the national budget.
Women’s Reservation Bill
The Women’s Reservation Bill, officially the Constitution (108th Amendment) Bill, is a proposed legislation in India aimed at reserving one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament) and state legislative assemblies for women. First introduced in 1996, it faced decades of political debate and delay before finally being passed by both houses of Parliament in September 2023. Its history reflects a long struggle for gender equality in Indian political representation, and it is expected to be implemented after the next delimitation exercise.
Parliament
Parliament is the supreme legislative body in many countries, most famously the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which has its origins in the 13th century. It is typically a bicameral institution, consisting of an elected lower house and an upper house, and serves as the central forum for debating and passing laws.
