India pushes parliament expansion, women's quota

India's government launched a bid on Thursday, April 16, 2026, to overhaul its democratic system with bills to increase the size of parliament and bring forward plans to reserve a third of seats for women. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Lok Sabha to deliver a keynote speech on the Women's Reservation Bill, receiving a rousing welcome from lawmakers. The opposition has dismissed the legislative push as an attempt to manipulate upcoming elections, while Home Minister Amit Shah has publicly defended the bills against claims they discriminate against southern states.