On Tuesday, 14 April 2026, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla led a high-level commemoration at Prerna Sthal inside the Parliament House complex, paying floral tribute to Bharat Ratna Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha Harivansh and a large number of Members of Parliament from both Houses joined the homage. The PM and Kharge were photographed sharing a rare light moment at the ceremony, in a brief departure from the prevailing political polarisation. At the Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan in Delhi, Prime Minister Modi said the upcoming sitting would end a decades-long wait for women's political representation and argued for early implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Those remarks set the tone for the Special Session of Parliament scheduled from 16 to 18 April 2026, which the government has convened to consider the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 — the long-awaited operationalisation of the One Hundred and Sixth Constitutional Amendment that mandates 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. The BJP had earlier issued a three-line whip for the special session. The day's commemorations also included separate tributes by President Droupadi Murmu in Gandhinagar and by Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav at Babasaheb's birthplace in Mhow.
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, PM Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Pay Floral Tribute to Babasaheb at Prerna Sthal in Parliament Complex; PM Vouches for Expanding Women's Reservation Seats Ahead of Special Session
On 14 April 2026, VP C P Radhakrishnan, PM Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla paid floral tribute to Dr B R Ambedkar at Prerna Sthal in the Parliament complex on his 135th birth anniversary. PM Modi argued for increasing women's legislative seats, framing the Special Parliament Session of 16-18 April for the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2026 to operationalise 33% women's reservation.
Key facts
- On 14 April 2026 Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla led the floral tribute ceremony to Dr B R Ambedkar at Prerna Sthal in the Parliament House complex on his 135th birth anniversary.
- Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, RS Deputy Chairman Harivansh and a large number of MPs from both Houses joined the homage.
- PM Modi stated that increasing women's participation in legislative bodies would be only fitting, signalling the government's intent to expand women's seats in Lok Sabha through the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026.
- The remarks framed the Special Parliament Session scheduled for 16-18 April 2026, convened to consider the 131st Amendment Bill which operationalises the One Hundred and Sixth Amendment mandating 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
- The BJP issued a three-line whip for the special session, requiring full attendance of its MPs in both Houses.
- PM Modi and LoP Mallikarjun Kharge were photographed sharing a rare light-hearted moment, briefly puncturing the prevailing political polarisation.
- Parallel tributes were paid by President Droupadi Murmu at Lok Bhavan in Gandhinagar and by Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav at Babasaheb's birthplace memorial in Mhow, Indore district.
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Consider the following statements regarding the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, scheduled to be taken up in the Special Session of Parliament on 16-18 April 2026: 1. The Bill is intended to operationalise the One Hundred and Sixth Constitutional Amendment that mandates 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. 2. The 106th Amendment was passed in 2023 but its enforcement was made contingent on a fresh delimitation exercise. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Both statements are correct. The Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023 — Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam — provided 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, but Section 334A made its enforcement contingent on a delimitation exercise undertaken after the next census. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, taken up in the Special Session of 16-18 April 2026, is meant to clear that legal pathway and operationalise the women's reservation.
Source: PIB India
Frequently asked questions
What is Prerna Sthal in the Parliament complex?
Prerna Sthal is a designated commemorative space inside the Parliament House complex in New Delhi where statues of leaders such as Dr B R Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Bhagat Singh and other freedom fighters and constitutional architects have been installed. It serves as the official venue where the Vice President, Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker and senior parliamentarians pay tribute on national anniversaries.
Why is the Special Parliament Session of 16-18 April 2026 significant?
The Government has convened it to consider the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which is intended to operationalise the One Hundred and Sixth Constitutional Amendment passed in 2023. That amendment provided for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, but its enforcement was made contingent on a fresh delimitation exercise. The 131st Amendment Bill seeks to clear that pathway.
What did PM Modi say about women in legislative bodies on 14 April 2026?
At the Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan in Delhi, the Prime Minister said the upcoming sitting would end a decades-long wait for women's political representation. The remarks signalled the government's intent to expand the share of women's seats in the Lok Sabha through the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026.
Why was a three-line whip issued by the BJP for the special session?
A three-line whip is the strictest form of party direction in the Indian parliamentary system, requiring all party MPs to be present and to vote in line with the party's position; defiance can lead to disqualification under the Tenth Schedule. The BJP issued such a whip for the 16-18 April 2026 session because the 131st Amendment Bill is a Constitution Amendment requiring a special two-thirds majority of those present and voting in each House.
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