Amit Shah: Women-led development scripting new empowerment chapter under Modi govt
Synopsis
As the Modi government marks 12 years in power, both the Prime Minister and Home Minister have anchored the anniversary narrative around women-led development — citing 10 crore Ujjwala connections, 70% female Mudra beneficiaries, and the landmark 33% reservation law. The coordinated messaging signals that Nari Shakti is the BJP's chosen frame for its decade-plus legacy.
Key Takeaways
Home Minister Amit Shah on 12 June credited the Modi government's women-led development model with delivering new milestones in empowerment and safety.
Over 10 crore gas connections under Ujjwala and more than 12 crore toilets have been cited as flagship welfare achievements.
Under the Mudra scheme , 70% of self-employment loans have gone to women, according to Shah.
The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (2023) reserves 33% of legislative seats for women.
PM Modi also posted on X using #12YearsOfNariShakti , calling women 'the cornerstone of nation-building.'
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday, 12 June said the Modi government's sustained push on 'women-led development' is delivering tangible results, marking a new chapter in the respect, safety, and empowerment of women across India. Shah made the remarks as the government marked 12 years in office since its first term began in 2014.
Key Schemes Shah Highlighted
In a post on X, Shah cited a range of flagship programmes directed at women's welfare and economic inclusion. 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao', over 10 crore gas connections under the Ujjwala scheme, and more than 12 crore toilets were listed as measures that have, in his words, accorded the 'highest priority' to the dignity and convenience of women.
Shah further noted that under the Mudra scheme, 70% of beneficiaries linked to self-employment through collateral-free loans are women. Initiatives such as 'Lakhpati Didi', 'Crorepati Didi', and self-help groups have, he said, strengthened women's economic self-reliance at the grassroots level.
Political Representation: The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam
Shah also pointed to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, passed by the government in 2023, as a structural step toward gender parity in governance. The legislation, he noted, has paved the way for 33% reservation of women in legislative bodies — a long-pending demand that successive governments had deferred for decades.
PM Modi Joins the Chorus
Earlier the same day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to X, using the hashtag #12YearsOfNariShakti, to underscore the government's record on women-led development. 'Over the last 12 years, the NDA Government has worked to further women-led development. And, this is visible across sectors. From financial inclusion and entrepreneurship to education, healthcare, sanitation, housing, sports, science and governance, women are playing a prominent role across diverse sectors,' Modi said.
The Prime Minister further described India's women as 'the cornerstone of nation-building', adding that 'our mothers, sisters, and daughters are enhancing the glory of Maa Bharati across every sector through their remarkable talent and skills.'
Context and Broader Significance
The coordinated messaging from both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister on the same day is notable — it frames the government's 12-year anniversary explicitly around women's empowerment as a central political and policy narrative. This comes amid ongoing debates about the pace of implementation of the women's reservation law and ground-level outcomes of schemes such as Ujjwala and Mudra. Critics have previously argued that while scheme coverage has expanded, indicators such as female labour force participation remain below regional peers. The government's framing, however, centres on welfare access, entrepreneurship, and representation as the primary metrics of progress.
Point of View
But coverage and outcomes are not the same thing: female labour force participation in India remains among the lowest in South Asia, a metric conspicuously absent from the government's framing. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is real legislative progress, but its actual implementation depends on delimitation — a process yet to unfold. The coordination between Modi and Shah on the same day, using the same hashtag, suggests this is a managed communications exercise as much as a policy review.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'women-led development' model the Modi government is promoting?
It refers to a policy framework that places women's welfare, economic inclusion, and political participation at the centre of governance. The government cites schemes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ujjwala, Mudra, and the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam as its key pillars.
What is the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam?
The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, passed in 2023, reserves 33% of seats in Parliament and state legislatures for women. Its implementation is linked to the next delimitation exercise, which has not yet been scheduled.
How many women have benefited from the Mudra scheme?
According to Home Minister Amit Shah, 70% of beneficiaries linked to self-employment through the Mudra scheme — which provides collateral-free loans — are women.
Why is the government marking 12 years with a focus on women's empowerment?
The Modi government completed 12 years in office in 2026, having first come to power in 2014. The coordinated posts by PM Modi and HM Shah on 12 June used the hashtag #12YearsOfNariShakti, framing women-led development as a central legacy of the government's tenure.
What have critics said about women's empowerment outcomes under the Modi government?
Critics have previously argued that while scheme coverage has expanded significantly, broader indicators such as female labour force participation remain low compared to regional peers, suggesting a gap between welfare access and economic integration.
