New Delhi, 18 April

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on opposition parties following the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 — described by the government as a key reform tied to delimitation and women’s representation.

In a televised address to the nation, Modi accused parties including the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party and DMK of “mercilessly crushing” the aspirations of women and committing what he termed the “foeticide of this honest endeavour”. He said their opposition had derailed efforts to expand women’s participation in legislatures.

“I seek forgiveness from all women of the country,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the “self-serving politics” of opposition parties had come at the cost of women’s empowerment.

He said the legislation was an “honest effort” aimed at ensuring balanced empowerment across the country.

Modi alleged that opposition parties had “celebrated their selfish politics” by blocking the Bill and accused them of taking women’s power for granted. “Today, every citizen of India is witnessing how the march of India’s women has been halted. The dreams of the country’s women have been mercilessly crushed,” he said.

He further accused the opposition of committing a “sin” by opposing the measure and warned they would be “punished” for it. “They have committed an offence against the Constitution and against the womanhood of this country,” he said.

The Prime Minister also criticised the Congress, saying it had missed an opportunity to “correct past mistakes” and “script new history”. He accused “family-run parties” of resisting women’s progress out of political self-interest.

Alleging divisive tactics, Modi said the Congress had spread falsehoods about a North-South divide. “A woman forgets everything, but not her insult,” he said, adding that the opposition’s actions would be remembered.