‘Sin against womanhood’: PM Modi apologises to women, slams opposition for ‘foeticide’ of reform after quota bill fails

In his address to the nation on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress and its allies of committing the “foeticide” of an “honest attempt” to empower India’s women. The speech followed the high-profile defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, which sought to fast-track the implementation of a 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative bodies.

The Prime Minister began his 30-minute address with an apology to the “mothers and daughters” of India. “I am as sad as every woman who is unhappy today. Your dreams were crushed in the very temple of democracy,” he said, describing the legislative failure as a “painful moment” for the country.

‘A sin against womanhood’

Launching a verbal attack on the INDIA bloc, PM Modi specifically named the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), Trinamool Congress (TMC), and DMK, calling them the “perpetrators” of this act.

“Before the eyes of the entire nation, the Congress and its allies have committed the ‘foeticide’ of this honest effort,” the Prime Minister stated. “They have committed an offense not just against the Constitution, but against the womanhood of this country. They will be punished by the people for this sin.”

#PMModi | Opposition has committed foeticide of a honest effort. They have revealed their true face before the nation: PM Modi while addressing the nation#ModiAddress #WomenReservationBill #Politics pic.twitter.com/qjOXPO0Mvw

— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 18, 2026

He further alleged that the Opposition’s “celebration and desk-thumping” after the Bill’s defeat was an “attack on the dignity” of every Indian woman. He claimed these “dynastic parties” fear that increased representation would allow common women from local bodies to challenge established political lineages.

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The delimitation deadlock

The defeated Bill was a critical part of a package that included a Delimitation Bill, aimed at increasing Lok Sabha seats to 816 to “operationalise” the 33 per cent quota by the 2029 elections.

The Opposition, however, argued the government was using women’s reservation as a “decoy” to force through a delimitation process that would unfairly disadvantage southern states. PM Modi dismissed these claims as “falsehoods” intended to create a “North-South divide.”

Despite the setback, the Prime Minister didn’t hold back, calling Congress an “anti-reform party” that has opposed moves from GST to Article 370.

“We may not have had the two-thirds majority required in the House today, but I know we have the blessings of 100% of the Nari Shakti,” he asserted. “Our resolve is unshakeable. We will remove every obstacle in the path of women’s reservation. It is only a matter of time,” he added.