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Fadnavis launches drive to collect signatures for women's quota, calls April 17 a 'black day' for democracy
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a drive to collect more than 10 million signatures from women in support of 33% reservation for women in legislative bodies, calling April 17 a 'black day for democracy'. He linked the opposition's defeat of the Constitution amendment bill to an anti-women stance and vowed to press for passage by 2029. The plan includes a state-wide awareness drive, a women’s march, and a Mumbai rally, with responses from opposition figures including Supriya Sule signaling willingness for public discussion.
Why It Matters
This event centers on a major gender representation policy and outlines political strategies to push for constitutional amendments, highlighting the tensions between governing parties and the opposition on reform of legislative bodies.
Timeline
5 Events
April 21, 2026: Launch of statewide awareness drive and women's march culminating in Mumbai rally
April 21, 2026
Maharashtra’s ruling alliance (BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP) announced a special awareness drive across the state from Tuesday, with a women's march culminating in a rally in Mumbai on the same day. Campaigns will be undertaken both individually and collectively across Maharashtra.
April 20, 2026: Supriya Sule accepts challenge for public discussion
April 20, 2026
NCP–SP lawmaker Supriya Sule accepted Fadnavis’s challenge for a public discussion, asking for a time and venue and pledging to present her party’s stand and respond to allegations against the Opposition.
April 20, 2026: Fadnavis announces signature drive and delimitation remarks at Mumbai press conference
April 20, 2026
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a drive to collect over 10 million signatures from women in support of 33% reservation for women in legislative bodies. He rejected criticism that delimitation was linked to the Women’s Reservation Bill, citing the Modi government’s proposed seat increases; he vowed to press for passage by 2029.
April 17, 2026: Opposition defeats Constitution amendment bill in Lok Sabha
April 17, 2026
Opposition parties defeated the Constitution amendment bill to expand the Lok Sabha size and fast-track the women’s reservation on April 17, 2026, which Fadnavis later described as a 'black day for democracy'.
2023: 2023 Women's Reservation Bill unanimously passed in Lok Sabha
2023
The article notes that the 2023 Women’s Reservation Bill was unanimously passed, attributed to the NDA's two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha at that time.