Karate Star Harsha Sahu Applauds Women's Reservation Bill for Political Empowerment

Harsha Sahu, an international karate athlete, has voiced her support for the Women's Reservation Bill, which aims to enhance women's representation in Indian politics. She expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this initiative, emphasizing its potential to empower women and allow them to play a significant role in policymaking. The bill proposes increasing Lok Sabha seats and reserving a substantial number for women. With the Union Cabinet's approval for amendments, the bill is set to be implemented in the 2029 elections, marking a significant step towards gender equality in governance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 11, 2026, 06:14 IST

Karate Athlete Harsha Sahu Supports Women's Reservation Bill

Harsha Sahu, an international karate competitor from India, has expressed her support for the Women's Reservation Bill, emphasizing its potential to enhance women's roles in politics and decision-making. She extended her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this significant initiative.

In a statement made on Friday, Sahu remarked that this legislation would ensure increased representation for women in Parliament, allowing them to take a more proactive stance in shaping national policies. "The Women's Reservation Bill is a step towards empowering women further. While women are already empowered, this bill will enable them to assert their presence in Parliament and engage actively in the political landscape. I appreciate the Prime Minister for this initiative," she stated.

Proposed Changes and Increase in Parliamentary Seats

Sahu's comments come as the government is working on amendments aimed at raising the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816, with a plan to reserve at least 273 of these for women.

Sources indicate that the proposed changes involve amendments to the 2023 Nari Shakti Vandan Act and the introduction of the Delimitation Commission Bill. This process is expected to utilize the 2011 Census data for the delimitation and redistribution of seats. Currently, the Lok Sabha comprises 543 seats, and with a proposed 50% increase, the total will rise to 816, with approximately one-third reserved for women.

Implementation and Scope of the Women's Reservation Act

The Union Cabinet has already given the green light to a draft amendment bill for the Women's Reservation Act, setting the stage for its implementation in the upcoming 2029 Lok Sabha elections. This amendment guarantees a 33% reservation for women in both Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, also referred to as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, ensures 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, including specific quotas for SC/ST women, marking a crucial advancement towards improved gender representation in Indian politics.

In a public editorial regarding the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the Prime Minister underscored the vital contributions of women across various sectors and stressed the necessity of enhancing their involvement in governance.