Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sharply criticised the Opposition after the Women’s Reservation Bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha, accusing them of committing “foeticide of this honest endeavour.”
Addressing the nation, PM Modi said parties including the Indian National Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, All India Trinamool Congress, and Samajwadi Party were responsible for blocking the legislation.
“Before the eyes of the entire nation, the Congress and its allies have committed the foeticide of this honest endeavour,” he said, adding that the move was an offence against the Constitution and women of the country.
The Centre on Friday failed to secure the required two-thirds majority to pass the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which sought to enable the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill. The legislation received 298 votes in favour and 230 against, falling short of the required threshold.
The proposed reform aimed to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to a maximum of 850 seats and provide 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The government had introduced three interlinked bills, but after the Constitution amendment failed, the remaining two were not put to a vote.
PM Modi apologised to the women of the country, saying the failure to pass the bill was a setback. “I apologise to all the mothers and the nation,” he said, adding that women’s progress had been stalled despite the government’s efforts.
He accused Opposition parties of prioritising political interests over national interest, stating that “selfish politics” had led to the bill’s defeat and harmed women across the country.
The Prime Minister also expressed disappointment over what he described as celebrations by Opposition leaders following the bill’s failure. He alleged that Congress had historically opposed women’s reservation and attempted to obstruct such efforts.
Calling the Congress an “anti-reform” party, PM Modi said it has consistently opposed key reforms needed for the country’s development and accused it of misleading the public on the issue.