PM Modi: Work On UCC, ONOE On And Govt Committed To Women Quota Bill
New Age Islam News Bureau
07 April 2026
· Modi: Work on UCC, ONOE on and govt committed to women quota bill
· SIR hits Muslims, women most; Malda, Murshidabad among most impacted, activists say
· UN Warns Pregnant Women’s Health at Risk in Afghanistan
· 'Woke leftist': Laura Loomer rips Tucker Carlson for meltdown over Trump 'mocking Islam’
· Ahmad Zahid calls for comprehensive boost to women’s empowerment
· Election to women’s seats on May 12
· Iran War Delays Vital Reproductive Aid for Women Across the Globe
· Fatima bint Mubarak honours outstanding female graduates
· Pakistan to skip SAFF Women’s Championship in India
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/pm-modi-work-on-ucc-onoe-and-women-quota-bill/d/139578
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PM Modi: Work on UCC, ONOE on and govt committed to women quota bill
Rajesh Kumar Thakur
07 Apr 2026
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that the uniform civil code (UCC) and One Nation, One Election idea are the two unfinished agendas on which the BJP is working meticulously. He reiterated his government’s commitment to implementing 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures.
These comments assume significance in the context of the government’s plan to introduce a bill during a special session of Parliament expected on April 15–16. Addressing party workers virtually on the BJP’s 47th Foundation Day, he stated that serious deliberations were underway on these two key issues.
“Our mission is still continuing and serious discussions are taking place in the country now on all such topics as the UCC and One Nation One Election,” he asserted. He also mentioned the introduction of 10% reservation for economically weaker sections within the general category as one of his government’s top achievements.
Modi said that the BJP’s preference for women’s reservation was old and the party first raised it in 1994. He said the current BJP-led government was fully committed to ensuring the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill. “We are fully dedicated to ensuring that the Nari Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation Act) is implemented in the 2029 General Election,” he said.
Outlining the party’s political objectives, Modi said the BJP was determined to make India a “viksit” and “aatmanirbhar” nation across sectors, adding that the country was progressing steadily towards achieving this goal. He also emphasised that the country recognised the BJP’s commitment to overcoming challenges in its pursuit of transforming India into a developed nation.
Referring to initiatives of his government, he said, “The abolishment of hundred of black laws from the British era, the construction of a new Parliament building for democracy, 10 per cent reservation for the poor in the general sections, a law to ban triple talaq, and CAA are among the countless examples of work our government has done.” He cited the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya as an example of the party’s efforts in fulfilling its promises.
PM touts abolishment of black laws from British era
Modi mentioned the introduction of 10% reservation for economically weaker sections within the general category on his watch. He also cited the abolishment of black laws from the British era, construction of a new Parliament building as his government’s achievements.
Source: newindianexpress.com
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Apr/07/modi-work-on-ucc-onoe-on-and-govt-committed-to-women-quota-bill
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SIR hits Muslims, women most; Malda, Murshidabad among most impacted, activists say
07.04.26
Ribhu Chatterjee
TTO graphics
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A disproportionate percentage of Muslim voters were reported under "logical discrepancies" and women account for more than half of removed names in many places in the special intensive revision of electoral rolls underway in Bengal, according to data presented at an event in Delhi on Monday.
Many people with legal documents had their names eliminated, entire families were removed and even booth-level officers were facing exclusion, according to testimonies presented at the discussion titled ‘Vanishing Voter Rights and Vulnerable Citizenship’ that focused on the SIR in Bengal, with particular emphasis on areas such as Malda and Murshidabad where mass deletions are being reported.
“In history, such an intensive revision has been done once – in a part of an Assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh,” said senior Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan. “When [James M.] Lyngdoh was the chief election commissioner, the Election Commission gave a very detailed reason as to why the intensive revision, ie, voters' list, is required in a new way.”
The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), which hosted the discussion in a packed auditorium at the Press Club of India, made a data-driven presentation titled ‘Hidden Algorithms of Exclusion.’
The presentation claimed women’s names were removed as a result of post-marriage relocation, a lack of ongoing recordkeeping, and “elimination” of micro-minorities such as Chinese-origin inhabitants and third-gender individuals.
“You can see that in West Bengal, Muslims are being targeted… so that their name is removed from the voters' list,” Bhusan said.
The hit has been the worst in places like Malda and Murshidabad, per the APCR. These zones already grapple with river erosion and displacement. The SIR has amplified distress. Persistent re-check requests, opacity around erasure reasons, and instances of family members vanishing while their kin remain have turned routine administrative exercise into a survival struggle, the speakers at the discussion said.
“This is the first time in India that the voters' list is being made in a new way,” Bhushan said. “When intensive revision was done in 2002-03, on the basis of the old voters' list, BLOs had added names to the list door-to-door. The names of those who died and those who left were removed. If someone’s name is in the old voters' list, then it will be accepted that he is a prima facie citizen. If you have a doubt, then you have to give him a notice on the basis of facts and reasons. After that, he can give any evidence, oral or documentary, to show his citizenship. If you still feel that he is not a citizen and hence his name should be removed, then he will either go to the Foreigners' Tribunal, the court or the government of India to decide his citizenship. They [the Election Commission] can only flag him," he added
The Supreme Court has pushed for tribunals and re-verification but has not halted the SIR exercise or intervened to tweak the election timeframe.
On Monday, the apex court refused to entertain the Bengal government’s plea to direct the 19 appellate tribunals to pass interim orders allowing at least certain categories of excluded voters to vote, saying “we do not want to rush it”.
The state government had sought the interim relief, particularly for the deleted but “mapped” voters – those with kin in the 2002 list – citing a purported 20 lakh-plus exclusions and the shortage of time for the tribunals to dispose of all the appeals.
The court decision means that if the tribunals do not dispose of the appeals of those deleted before the expiry of the deadline for fresh inclusions, these voters cannot vote in the Assembly elections that begin on April 23.
Politically, there is a stark division. Supporters of the SIR say cleansing the voter rolls is critical to electoral integrity. Critics argue that the burden of proof unfairly impacts the poor, the migrating workers and the undocumented and hence alters the electorate.
“Everyone knows what is the condition of the Election Commission,” Bhushan said. “But leaving that aside, in an unprecedented way, the SIR is being pushed in haste. And, unfortunately, the Supreme Court did not stop it. They are allowing it to go on and they are allowing it to move forward.”
The APCR panel ended with a call for transparency, accountability, and a hope for those who are under the revision process and facing continuous issues. The panel concluded that the SIR was designed to refine democracy but is exposing its fault lines.
Source: telegraphindia.com
https://www.telegraphindia.com/gallery/sir-hits-muslims-women-most-malda-murshidabad-among-most-impacted-activists-say-photogallery-prnt/cid/2154985?slide=11
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UN Warns Pregnant Women’s Health at Risk in Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
April 7, 2026
The United Nations has warned that ensuring pregnant women in Afghanistan have access to essential health services is critical amid contraceptive restrictions.
Pregnant women in Afghanistan must have uninterrupted access to health services, the U.N. Population Fund said on Monday, warning that maternal care is a life-saving necessity in a country with one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates. The agency’s message came as concerns mounted over new restrictions affecting women’s access to reproductive and maternity care.
UNFPA said access to maternal health care is “non-negotiable,” stressing that Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous places in the world to be pregnant. According to UNFPA’s Afghanistan profile, the country records about 620 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, and a woman dies from preventable pregnancy-related complications roughly every two hours.
The warning came after reports that morality inspectors in Herat had shut parts of the provincial maternity hospital and warned against providing contraceptive pills and condoms to women. Those reported moves have intensified fears among health workers and rights advocates that already fragile maternal and reproductive health services could face deeper disruption.
The World Health Organization has also underscored that health policy should be guided by science, not ideology, as it marked World Health Day 2026 under the theme “Together for health. Stand with science.” WHO said evidence-based public health action is essential to protecting lives, particularly in crisis-hit countries with weak health systems.
Medical experts say restricting access to contraception and reproductive counselling can raise the risks of unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortion, maternal illness and pregnancy-related deaths. WHO says contraceptive services are fundamental to health and human rights and help reduce maternal ill-health and preventable deaths by allowing women to space and plan pregnancies more safely.
Afghanistan’s health system has been under severe pressure from conflict, poverty, displacement and funding shortages, with women and girls among the hardest hit. WHO estimates that 14.4 million people in Afghanistan will need health assistance in 2026, while UNFPA says millions of women still struggle to reach life-saving reproductive and maternal care, especially in remote and conservative areas.
UNFPA’s latest warning reflects growing concern that any further restrictions on maternity and reproductive services could have deadly consequences for Afghan women. In a country already burdened by one of the region’s worst maternal health crises, even limited disruptions can quickly become life-threatening.
Source: khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/un-warns-pregnant-womens-health-at-risk-in-afghanistan/
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'Woke leftist': Laura Loomer rips Tucker Carlson for meltdown over Trump 'mocking Islam’
By Prakriti Deb
Apr 07, 2026
Far-right commentator Laura Loomer targeted media personality Tucker Carlson in a post on X, accusing him of having a “meltdown” over remarks linked to Donald Trump that were perceived as mocking Islam.
Sharing a video clip of Carlson, Loomer wrote: “Tucker Qatarlson has a full blown meltdown over President Trump ‘mocking Islam’.”
She added, “He’s acting like a woke leftist. He’s so far gone,” along with further remarks criticising Carlson’s stance.
The post also included a video clip of Carlson speaking about religion.
Carlson’s remarks in the video
In the video shared by Loomer, Carlson appears to criticise statements attributed to Trump, saying: “No decent person mocks other people’s religions… to mock other people’s faith is to mock the idea of faith itself.”
He further stated, “No president should mock Islam. That’s not your job… This is not a theocracy.”
Referring to a social media post made on Easter, Carlson added: “To send out a tweet with the F word on Easter morning… and then saying ‘praise be to Allah’… you are mocking me and every other Christian… That is evil.”
Loomer and Carlson’s ongoing feud
The latest exchange is not the first time Loomer has publicly targeted Carlson. According to The Daily Beast, she has repeatedly criticised him in recent weeks, including calling on Trump to distance himself from the commentator.
In earlier remarks cited by the outlet, Loomer accused Carlson of undermining Trump and described him as a “national security threat."
She has also previously referred to Carlson as “Tucker Qatarlson,” a nickname she has used in multiple posts, as reported by The Daily Beast.
Context of the exchange
The video shared by Loomer shows Carlson objecting to rhetoric he described as mocking religion, including Islam and Christianity.
In the clip, he says: “We should never mock [faith]… at its core is the acknowledgement that we are not in charge of the universe.”
Loomer’s response directly criticised these remarks, framing them as a reaction to Trump’s statements.
The exchange has since circulated on social media, drawing attention to the public disagreement between the two commentators.
Source: hindustantimes.com
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/woke-leftist-laura-loomer-rips-tucker-carlson-for-meltdown-over-trump-mocking-islam-101775526375931.html
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Ahmad Zahid calls for comprehensive boost to women’s empowerment
7 Apr 2026
Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says women need more access to finance, digital skills and business opportunities to strengthen their economic role.
KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to empower women must be strengthened comprehensively, including access to financing, digital skills training, and business expansion opportunities to boost their competitiveness, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said this approach is vital, as women continue to face challenges from global uncertainties that affect the cost of living and the domestic economy.
“This afternoon, I officially opened the Voices of HER forum, which brought together various stakeholders for a meaningful discussion on how women can strengthen the nation’s economy. Women play a crucial role in building families, empowering communities, and driving economic growth.
“However, participation alone isn’t enough. Women need access to opportunities, assets, and decision-making power to be truly empowered and ready to lead,” he said in a Facebook post tonight.
Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as Minister of Rural and Regional Development, noted that with collaboration and a holistic approach, a more inclusive, fair, and sustainable ecosystem can be created to ensure women continue to play a vital role in the country’s economic development.
“Insya-Allah, these efforts will be further strengthened to build a stronger and more prosperous future for the country,” he said.
Source: thesun.my
https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/people-issues/ahmad-zahid-calls-for-comprehensive-boost-to-womens-empowerment/#google_vignette
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Election to women’s seats on May 12
07 Apr 2026
The Election Commission yesterday announced that voting for the reserved seats for women in the 13th parliament will be held on May 12 and the election schedule for the 50 seats will be declared on April 8.
The commission also decided not to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) in upcoming local government polls. However, no timeline for the elections has yet been set.
Speaking to reporters after a commission meeting at Agargaon in Dhaka, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the election schedule for women’s reserved seat would include dates for nomination submission, scrutiny, and withdrawal.
According to the Jatiya Sangsad (Reserved Seats for Women) Election Act 2004, the EC must complete the election within 90 days of publishing the final results of a national election in the gazette.
The 13th national election, along with the referendum, was held on February 12, and results were published the next day. Fifty parties, including the BNP, Jamaat, and Jatiya Party, contested the polls. Of them, only nine parties won seats. The remaining 41, including the Jatiya Party, failed to secure any.
Over the women’s seats distribution, Secretary Akhtar said BNP and its allies will get 36 seats; Jamaat and National Citizen Party 13 seats; and independent candidates one seat.
Meanwhile, the EC yesterday evening published the voter list for women’s reserved seat election, containing the names of 296 parliament members eligible to vote.
The EC is also weighing options for about 1.5 lakh idle EVMs, amid a rising shortage, missing units, and uncertainty over disposal.
Akhtar said EVMs were not used in the national election and would not be used in local polls.
He added that a decision on the issue would be made after receiving investigation reports from the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh, and a commission reviewing the last three parliamentary elections.
EC officials said there are 148,401 EVMs in its inventory, while 1,599 cannot be traced. With each costing around Tk 2.35 lakh, the missing machines are worth about Tk 37.5 crore. The EVMs are currently stored at multiple locations, including 86,233 units at Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BTMF), which has asked the EC to pay Tk 70.40 crore in storage charge.
Asked if the EVMs were faulty, he replied, “We will wait for the investigation reports. The public has lost confidence in EVMs, and questions remain about their lifespan.”
Asked about the submission of election expenditure returns to the EC by candidates, Akhtar said the EC has extended the deadline by another month.
According to the Representation of the People Order (RPO)-1972, they are required to submit their expenditure returns within 30 days of the gazette notification of results.
“Several candidates applied for extensions, and we granted them more time,” Akhtar said.
When asked how many candidates submitted their election expenditure returns or sought extensions, the secretary said he could not provide figures but confirmed the extension.
Asked whether the EC would take action for violating RPO, the EC secretary said, “We have extended the deadline further. Once this period expires, we will decide on the next course of action.”
Meanwhile, the EC said there is no reason for concern regarding holding of Sherpur-3 general election and Bogura-6 by-polls, both slated for April 9.
Law enforcement agencies and presiding officers have assured the commission of a normal situation in both constituencies. Sherpur-3 has 129 polling centres and Bogura-6 has 151, he added.
The EC secretary said the commission is also awaiting the High Court verdict for the publication of the gazette containing the results of Chattogram-2, 4.
Akhtar said 50 post-election cases have been filed over the 13th parliamentary polls. “The election materials for these 50 constituencies must be preserved until the court disposes of the cases.”
Source: thedailystar.net
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/election-womens-seats-may-12-4145431
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Iran War Delays Vital Reproductive Aid for Women Across the Globe
April 7, 2026
Disruptions stemming from the ongoing conflict in Iran are affecting more than just oil shipments, with more than a dozen countries reporting delays in receiving lifesaving reproductive health supplies for women.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 16 countries — including Cuba, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen — say that they've seen delays receiving labor and delivery room equipment for a combined 45 hospitals, surgical equipment for 28 referral hospitals, assisted delivery equipment for 15 hospitals, and more than 1.2 million male condoms. The UNFPA warns that these delays could limit access to critical resources for at least 18,000 pregnant women, 1,980 women receiving treatment for complications from miscarriage or abortion, 30,400 survivors of sexual violence, and 2,625 women and girls in need of contraceptive services.
“The conflict has dismantled the routes we rely on to deliver reproductive and maternal health commodities,” said UNFPA acting chief of supply chain management Eric Dupont in a March 26 release. "Between logistical bottlenecks, skyrocketing shipping costs and extended transit times, our ability to reach the most vulnerable women and girls is under strain."
As the UNFPA points out, many of the organization's humanitarian supplies are typically routed through Dubai. And with traffic through the Strait of Hormuz severely limited, carriers have had to reroute vessels around Africa's Cape of Good Hope, delaying time sensitive aid resources and sharply increasing transport costs.
Read More: A Race Against Time — Inside the Logistics of Humanitarian Aid
Speaking to NPR, other nonprofits and aid groups voiced similar concerns, as clinics and humanitarian centers in the Middle East, Asia and Africa are now at risk of running out of basic medication and food.
"It's extremely serious in countries that have very little resilience to shocks like this," said Bob Kitchen with the International Rescue Committee, based out of Nairobi, Kenya. "Whenever one piece of the puzzle is missing or delayed, the consequences are very, very severe."
For the time being, the UNFPA says that it's working with private sector partners and partner agencies to look for alternative shipping routes, and to reroute inbound shipments and reposition certain supplies. The organization also stores emergency supplies across multiple global warehouses, allowing it to at least maintain operations at a reduced level during disruptions.
Source: supplychainbrain.com
https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/43796-iran-war-delays-vital-reproductive-aid-for-women-across-the-globe
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Fatima bint Mubarak honours outstanding female graduates
April 06, 2026
Sharjah 24 – WAM: Sharjah 24 – WAM: Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), honoured distinguished female graduates with top honours from UAE University (45th cohort), Zayed University (24th cohort), and the Higher Colleges of Technology (35th cohort), celebrating their academic achievements and excellence.
Commitment to education and women’s empowerment
On this occasion, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak highlighted that the growing number of female graduates reflects the UAE leadership’s ongoing efforts to enhance education and improve its outcomes. She praised the graduates’ achievements as a source of pride for Emirati women and a testament to their dedication to knowledge and personal development.
Inspiring future generations
She congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence in serving the nation and contributing to its progress, in line with the vision of Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. She emphasised the importance of strengthening family foundations, preserving national values, and passing them on to future generations.
Strong presence of women in higher education
Abdulrahman bin Abdulmanan Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, affirmed that the high participation of Emirati women in higher education is the result of continuous leadership support.
He noted that women make up around 66% of Emirati students in higher education, with strong representation across fields such as business, engineering, health sciences, and information technology.
Growing impact scross key sectors
Al Awar highlighted that this academic success translates into significant contributions across vital sectors. Emirati women hold 91% of citizen-held healthcare roles in the private sector, while those aged 35 and below represent 71% of Emirati women working in the private sector.
He also noted that women account for 55% of citizens in leadership positions within the private sector, underscoring their vital role in driving the UAE’s economic and social development.
Source: sharjah24.ae
https://sharjah24.ae/en/Articles/2026/04/06/Fatima-bint-Mubarak-honours-outstanding-female-graduates
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Pakistan to skip SAFF Women’s Championship in India
Apr 6, 2026
Panaji: The SAFF Women’s Football Championship 2026 will be reduced to a six-team affair with Pakistan set to miss out due to strenuous relations with hosts India.
The South Asian Football Confederation (SAFF) had earlier announced that all seven member associations were expected to participate in the championship, “making it one of the premier women’s football events in the region.” However, according to sources, Pakistan have not confirmed their participation even a week after the deadline ended on March 30.
“Pakistan will not participate,” a senior official told TOI on Sunday. “There is no official confirmation yet but the deadline that was provided to them for confirmation has already passed. It looks like the (Pak) govt does not want the team to travel to India.”
The SAFF Women’s Championship will be held in Goa from May 25 to June 7.
India’s relations with Pakistan on the sports field has been complicated with cricket teams refusing to even shake hands before and after matches. At the T20 World Cup, Pakistan were also involved in a tense 10-day standoff with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over facing India in a blockbuster group-stage clash in Colombo.
The SAFF Championship will now see participation from six countries, two of whom – India and Bangladesh – took part in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Australia. Nepal could have also made it but lost the decisive qualifier on penalties against Uzbekistan, who eventually made it to the last-eight stage of the continental showpiece.
Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan are the other member associations who have confirmed participation.
India have won the SAFF Women’s Championship a record five times, while Bangladesh have proved their recent might, winning the last two titles in 2022 and 2024 when they retained the title with a 2-1 win against Nepal at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu.
Source: indiatimes.com
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/pakistan-to-skip-saff-womens-championship-in-india/articleshowprint/130045695.cms
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/pm-modi-work-on-ucc-onoe-and-women-quota-bill/d/139578