BJP holds Mahila Samvad on “Naari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Jammu

• Women’s representation a reality now,’ say Speakers, thank PM Modi

JAMMU: An amalgam of women’s organizations convened a programme titled “Naari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam – Mahila Samvad” at the Central Mahajan Sabha, Shalimar Road, Jammu, to express gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring enhanced political representation for women through the historic Naari Shakti Vandan Act, 2023.

Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma specially graced the occasion, which witnessed the participation of a wide cross-section of women representations from society including five Inner Wheel teams, DDCs BDCs, Councillors, Sarpanches, Panchs, heads and members, Self-Help Groups, social activists, Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Durga Vahini, Modi Jagran Manch, WWAO, BJP Mahila Morcha, advocates, doctors and citizens from all walks of life, BJP J&K vice president and former Minister Priya Sethi, BJP spokespersons Purnima Sharma (former Deputy Mayor), and Rajni Sethi, Veenu Khanna, Veena Handa, Amita Sharma, Saavmya Pramukh and others.

Purnima Sharma, in coordination with other women organizations organized the whole event. Sunil Sharma, in a strong endorsement of women’s political empowerment, hailed the Naari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 as a “historic and visionary reform” driven by the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that it marks the culmination of decades of struggle to ensure rightful political representation for women.

Sunil Sharma asserted that the Modi government has fundamentally transformed the discourse on women empowerment, from symbolic inclusion to real, institutional participation. He emphasized that while previous governments kept the issue of women’s reservation entangled in political deadlock, it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong will and commitment that translated this long-pending demand into reality.

Sunil Sharma added that delaying women’s representation weakens the very foundation of democracy, and the Modi government’s push for early implementation of the Act reflects its seriousness in ensuring inclusive governance. He remarked that the legislation completes the journey from social and economic empowerment to full political empowerment of women, laying the foundation for a stronger, more balanced democracy.

Earlier, welcoming the gathering, Adv. Purnima Sharma, termed the Naari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam a “historic structural reform,” stating that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has moved from women development to women-led development, ensuring women’s rightful place in governance.

Kunwarani Ritu Singh, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Founder of Delhi Public Schools said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a decades-old demand for women’s political reservation has been fulfilled. She highlighted that earlier attempts had failed due to political deadlock, but this legislation has now paved the way for equal participation of women in governance. She remarked that the Act lays the foundation for a stronger and more inclusive democracy.

Varsha Bansal, Chairperson of FICCI FLO J&K-Ladakh, elaborated on the core provisions of the Act, stating that the legislation provides 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, including within SC/ST reserved seats, made possible under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She highlighted that despite women forming nearly 50% of India’s population, their representation in Parliament remains around 13–14%, calling the Act a much-needed corrective step. She said the move from 14% to 33% represents a structural correction in Indian democracy and will ensure inclusive and balanced governance.

Educationist Anthony Ma’am emphasized that the Act, brought under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, goes beyond representation and has the potential to transform governance outcomes. She noted that greater participation of women will strengthen sectors like education, healthcare, nutrition, and social welfare, and added that India, which currently lags behind the global average of women’s representation, will benefit significantly from this reform. She also said the initiative will inspire young girls to aspire for leadership roles.

A representative from Vidyarthi Parishad stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, a long-pending reform has finally been realized after decades of delay. Referring to the success of women’s reservation in Panchayati Raj institutions, the speaker said the Act takes this empowerment from grassroots to Parliament and urged youth to support this transformation.

The speakers also highlighted that under the policies and initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, women empowerment has been strengthened across sectors—be it financial inclusion, social dignity, healthcare support, or economic opportunities—and the Act is a natural extension of these efforts into political representation. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by MLA Shagun Parihar, who appreciated the overwhelming participation and reiterated the importance of timely implementation of the Act to ensure women receive their rightful representation in legislative bodies.