Women's Quota, Delimitation Will Not Do Injustice to Anyone: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday appealed to the Opposition INDIA bloc to support legislation seeking implementation of women's reservation in Lok Sabha and assemblies and warned that political wisdom lies in recognising the desire of women to participate in decision making.

Speaking in Lok Sabha, Modi said there was a strong representation of grassroots women leaders who were ready to accept greater responsibilities. "We should not think that we are 'giving' them something. It is their right to 33 percent reservation," he said.

Countering claims that implementing the reservations and the accompanying delimitation will adversely impact southern states, the Prime Minister said "I want to say that no decision taken as part of this process will discriminate or do an injustice to anyone."

Responding to Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav's reference to other backward castes (OBC) representation, the Prime Minister said while it is fact that he hails from a small backward community it is his constitutional duty to work for the benefits of all. Countering the demand of SP and other Mandal parties for a "sub quota", the Prime Minister said leaders and parties should trust the wisdom of women legislators. "Ek bar aane to do (Give them the chance to enter legislatures)," he said. 

With the Opposition raising questions over timing of the special session of Parliament called in midst of assembly elections, Modi said there is a general consensus that the women's reservations in legislatures should be implemented soon. "If you want credit I will give you a blank cheque," he said.

Modi sought to flip the Opposition script that sought to link the bills on reservations and delimitation to the Prime Minster seeking to derive political advantage, saying opposing the legislations will certainly work to his benefit. "But if we pass the legislations unanimously no one can be said to gain any benefit or advantage," he said.

The Prime Minister urged that MPs think about their responsibilities towards the nation and not in divisive or compartmentalised terms. "A storm is being whipped up without any basis," he said. When Congress MP Jyotimani remarked that the word "guarantee" is missing in the context of the proportional representation of states will be protected, he said "tell which word will satisfy you and that word will be inserted. If you can suggest a Tamil word I will use that too."