Opposition's Bid to Block Women's Reservation 'Pure Political Selfishness', Says Haryana CM Saini

Dr Kamlesh Kali
Chandigarh , May 5. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on opposition parties, accusing them of deliberately sabotaging the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Act out of sheer political self-interest and hunger for power. He was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar themed "Empowered Women, Empowered Society, Empowered Nation" organised at Kurukshetra University.

Saini said that during the special session of Parliament convened on April 16 and 17, a bill was brought to amend the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, with the clear objective of giving women 33 percent reservation in Parliament and state assemblies and bringing them into the mainstream of decision-making. However, certain political parties made a calculated attempt to derail the process through technical pretexts and misleading arguments.

"This is nothing but political selfishness and a lust for power," the Chief Minister said bluntly, adding that anti-women forces left no stone unturned to stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to ensure 33 percent reservation for the country's sisters and daughters in legislatures by 2029. He declared that when the question is of justice and rights, silence is not an option — decisive action is necessary.

Tracing the historical journey of women's representation in Parliament, Saini noted that while the first Lok Sabha had only 22 women members, the number rose to 44 in the eighth Lok Sabha and has now reached 75 in the current 18th Lok Sabha — a testament to the growing political assertion of women in India.

The Chief Minister said that respect for women is not merely a social issue but the very foundation of national progress. He pointed out that Prime Minister Modi has identified four pillars of a Viksit Bharat — the poor, farmers, youth, and women — underlining that no nation can truly develop while leaving half its population behind.

Saini said the journey from the "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" campaign launched in 2015 to the Nari Shakti Vandan Act represents a historic and unbroken commitment to the dignity and empowerment of women. He added that women have always been the backbone of the nation — from agriculture, animal husbandry and cottage industries in ancient times to science, startups and national defence in the modern era.

"When the daughters of this country run startups, become scientists or serve in the armed forces, they make the entire nation proud," Saini said, asserting that the Haryana government, under Prime Minister Modi's guidance, is working continuously to strengthen women economically, socially and politically.