Fact Check: Modi Was Present During Debate on Women’s Reservation Bill In Parliament
PM Modi was present during the discussion of passing the Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament
Soon after the Women's Reservation Bill, aka Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, was passed in the Rajya Sabha last week, an infographic claiming Prime Minister Narendra Modi was absent from the debate, went viral on the internet.
It is being claimed that PM Modi did not participate in the discussion for passing the Women's Reservation Bill.
In the infographic, leaders like Nitin Gadkari, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and other BJP MPs can be seen seated in Parliament House. However, PM Modi appears to be missing from the picture. The text imposed in the infographic reads, “Ït is unfortunate that Prime Minister Modi, who pretends to care about women, is absent when the Women's Reservation Bill is being debated.”
FACT CHECK:
Several news reports prove the opposite. Narendra Modi was present during the passing of the bill and was in full support of it.
Modi introduced the Women's Reservation Bill and gave the speech on the first day of the session at the New Parliament House on September 19. Before the voting began, he addressed the House and made a strong pitch for the Women's Reservation Bill and urged the Rajya Sabha to pass the bill unanimously.
Speaking in the Upper House, Modi said, “Today we are taking an important step towards women empowerment.. Today (September 19, 2023) is a memorable as well as a historic day.. Taking forward women-led development, the government is presenting an important constitutional amendment bill. The aim of the bill is to expand the participation of women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Through the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', our democracy will be strengthened.” (Read more here)
A video of the announcement is available on YouTube.
PM Modi was also present during the voting on the bill. (View full procedure here)
After the bill was passed, women MPs celebrated the moment with PM Modi at the Parliament.
Modi, also took to X (formerly, Twitter) to thank the Lok Sabha members. “I thank MPs across party lines who voted in support of this Bill,” Mr. Modi said.
Evidently, it is clear that not only was PM Modi present during the passing of the bill but was in full support of it.
Thus, the claim is false.