Nari Shakti Sammelan: PM Modi says India about to make one of the most significant decisions of 21st century

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed the national-level ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan’, and said that the Parliament is on the verge of making a historic decision in the coming days by introducing the amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

Addressing the large gathering at New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan, the Prime Minister started by paying homage to the martyrs of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and also extended Baisakhi greetings to the countrymen.

During this, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also shared a toll-free number — 9667173333 — which people can give a missed call to support the Modi government’s Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bills.

Speaking about the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, PM Modi said, “India is about to make one of the most significant decisions of the 21st century; I say this with a strong sense of responsibility. This decision is dedicated to the Nari Shakti and Nari Shakti Vandan.”

“Our Parliament is going to make a historic decision, which will give concrete form to the concepts of the past and fulfil the resolutions of the future. A resolve rooted in equality, where social justice is not merely a slogan, but an integral part of our work culture and decision-making process,” he said.

“From the State Assemblies to the Parliament, the end of decades of waiting is 16, 17 and 18 (referring to April 16-18),” he said.

The Prime Minister recalled that in 2023, in the new Parliament building, the first step was taken towards the Nari Shakti Adhiniyam.

“For it to be implemented on time, women’s participation gives strength to our democracy. We have called a special session of the Parliament,” he added.

The Sammellan saw participation from prominent personalities and women achievers across diverse sectors, including government, academia, science, sports, entrepreneurship, media, social work and culture.

The event brought together a wide spectrum of stakeholders to deliberate on the role of women in India’s development journey.

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said, “Through this event, we are receiving the blessings of mothers and sisters from across the nation. I have not come here to wake you up or give you orders, but to seek your blessings. You all have come here from different parts of the nation, and I thank you for your time.”

“Everyone had felt the need for women’s reservation for decades, and discussions were also held. Over 40 years were spent on this deliberation. Every party and several generations made an effort towards this. Every political outfit took this forward according to their understanding. When Nari Shakti Adhiniyam was introduced in 2023, even then every political party passed it with consensus and then everyone had also demanded its implementation before 2029,” he said.

The Prime Minister further mentioned that it was “unacceptable” that a Bill was passed but not implemented. Recalling the Opposition’s stance, he said that the leaders were also “very vocal” that this be implemented soon.

“Keeping the 2029 deadline and the Opposition’s demand in mind, we kept deliberating on the ways to do this, consulted experts, and now we have called for a special discussion on this issue in the Parliament. It is our effort that this time too, this work is done with dialogue, support and consensus. I have full trust that the way this Adhiniyam was passed, this time too, the Parliamentary tradition will reach new heights,” PM Modi said.

“The women of the country will also feel good that everyone has taken this important decision in their favour,” he added.

The programme is being organised as part of the Centre government’s broader push towards women-led development and seeks to underline the importance of greater participation of women in decision-making processes.

The event comes in the backdrop of the landmark passage of the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ in September 2023, which marked a significant step towards enhancing women’s representation in legislative bodies.

The legislation provides for one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, a move widely seen as transformative for India’s political landscape.

–IANS

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Priyanka Chaturvedi questions UGC’s new regulations, calls for equal protection for all

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Reacting to the UGC’s January 2026 notification, Chaturvedi took to the social media platform X to underline concerns over uneven legal safeguards.

In her post, she wrote, “While any kind of caste discrimination on the campus is wrong, India has seen enough of students having to suffer the consequences of it; shouldn’t the law be encompassing and ensure protection is guaranteed to all? Why this discrimination in the application of the law?”

She further questioned the absence of safeguards against misuse, asking, “What happens in case of false cases? How does one decide guilt? How does one describe discrimination — through words, actions or perceptions?”

Stressing the need for clarity, she added, “The applicability of law has to be clear, precise and equal for all. Hence, instead of creating a bad environment on campuses, I’d urge that the UGC notification either be withdrawn or corrected.”

The UGC’s Promotion of Equity Regulations, 2026, aim to strengthen anti-discrimination mechanisms in higher education institutions.

The rules mandate the creation of equity committees, equal opportunity centres, helplines, and monitoring squads in colleges and universities.

They define discrimination broadly, including explicit acts as well as implicit bias and systemic exclusion.

According to the UGC, the regulations were framed in response to a reported 118 per cent rise in discrimination complaints between 2019 and 2023, with a particular focus on protecting Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.

However, the notification has sparked mixed reactions. Voices from the general category have criticised the regulations for what they describe as a one-sided framework, arguing that protections for the accused are insufficient and that upper-caste students could be unfairly targeted.

Supporters of the regulations, on the other hand, have defended them as necessary corrective measures to address historical marginalisation, insisting that the rules do not amount to reverse discrimination.

The regulations also seek to introduce institutional accountability, placing responsibility on heads of institutions for addressing harassment complaints and ensuring compliance through regular oversight.

While the UGC maintains that the framework aims at long-term structural reform, critics argue that without equal application and precise definitions, the rules risk increasing mistrust and conflict on campuses rather than fostering genuine equity.

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Events in Parbhani and Beed are a stain on progressive Maharashtra’s reputation: Nana Patole

Nagpur, Dec 20 (IANS) The State Congress President Nana Patole on Thursday claimed that the desecration of the Constitution in Parbhani and the killing of a sarpanch in Beed district have tarnished the name of progressive Maharashtra and the legacy of its saints.

These events appear to be an attempt to erase the ideologies of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Jyotirao Phule, and B.R. Ambedkar, Patole said in the Assembly.

The death of Somnath Suryawanshi due to police brutality in Parbhani is nothing short of murder, he added.

Patole during a debate under Rule 101 on the incidents in Parbhani and Beed districts targeted the Mahayuti government, saying that there is a need to put an end to the politically-backed criminal dominance in Maharashtra.

“During the two-and-a-half-year tenure of the BJP-led alliance, there has been an effort to shield criminal activities. For instance, in Beed, Valmik Karad, who has serious charges such as Section 302 (murder) against him, was given police protection. Who recommended this protection, and for what reason?” he asked.

“A shootout occurred in Parli between Andhale and Geete, resulting in Geete’s death. Valmik Karad is allegedly involved in this incident. At the time, Police Inspector Mahajan and Police Sub-Inspector Patil were deployed in the area. Similarly, in Kej, Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh was murdered, and the same officers were posted there. Are transfers within the police department happening under Valmik Karad’s orders? The Beed incident is extremely grave and seems to have political backing, with rumours suggesting a Minister’s involvement. Such a minister must be removed from the Cabinet,” he said.

“The Parbhani incident is reminiscent of Bhima Koregaon violence. The day after the incident, hundreds gathered on the streets, and shops were shut down. Had the police taken appropriate action immediately, subsequent events could have been avoided. Instead, the police conducted a combing operation and brutally beat innocent individuals, worse than animals. Who ordered this cane charge? Was the Parbhani incident government-sponsored? These are pressing questions. Innocent people have been falsely charged. Somnath Suryawanshi, who was filming the police cane charge, was arrested, brutally assaulted in custody, and killed by the police. However, the government has not taken action against a single officer,” claimed Patole.

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“Who truly runs the administration—the government or criminals? Despite having a capable Chief Minister, how does such chaos prevail in the state? A gangster holds sway over Beed; who is their ‘master’? This criminal dominance must end, and Maharashtra must uphold the values of Shivaji, Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar,” Patole said.

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Gangaikonda Cholapuram committee hails announcement of grand statues for Chola emperors 

Chennai, July 27 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers at the ancient Shiva temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu and also announced that grand statues of Chola emperors Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola will be erected to honour their contributions to Indian history and culture.

The Prime Minister’s promise of constructing new and grand statues of Chola emperors has been welcomed and deeply appreciated by Gangaikonda Cholapuram Development Committee.

Gomagan, the president of Gangaikonda Cholapuram development committee expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister and said that this is a joyous moment for all of us.

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He further said: “We thank PM Modi for his pledge to build a grand statue for Rajendra Chola, who is renowned for constructing a large navy amongst Indian kings and for leading Naval campaigns in the Southeast Asia.”

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“The Cholas established strong political and trade ties with Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Southeast Asia. It is a coincidence that I returned from the Maldives yesterday, and today I stand here in the land once ruled by these visionary kings,” he remarked.

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