Live | Modi addresses nation, says Indian women will never forget who denied them their rights

All the nation's ills are because of Congress: Modi

Modi said: "The women of our country will give befitting reply to Congress and its allies.

"Every single challenge our country faces today is due to negative approach of Congress party over years."

Today, I am sad: Modi

Modi said: "Only because of Congress the nation has not been able to reach greater heights.

"Today everyone is sad. So am I. We didn't get 66 per cent votes. But I'm sure 100 per cent of women are with us. We will remove all obstacles to women's reservation. 

"Nation's nari shakti can never be stopped. It's a matter of time. BJP, NDA's dream will come true. Yesterday we didn't have enough numbers. It doesn't mean we lost. Our will is strong. Our effor won't stop."

Congress is an anti-reform party: Modi

Modi said: "Congress is an anti-reform party. Whenever there is a step to reform the nation, Congress goes against it. Such is their history and negative politics.

"They were against mobile, Aadhaar, Jan Dhan Yojna, digital payments, GST, women's reservation, etc. They protested against ending of triple talaq, abrogation of Article 370.

"Now they are against Uniform Civil Code. At the very mention of reform they go up in arms.

"They are against One Nation, One Election. Against deporting illegal immigrants. They opposed CAA. 

"Congress has always believed in politics of dividing people, so they spread falsehood about North-South divide.

"Their pattern is to say lies, spread rumours and stop all reforms.

"They have always opted for negative way."

Delimitation would have helped all: Modi

Modi said: "These dynastic parties are worried that if women get their share, their power will be challenged.

"They don't want women from non dynastic families to come up in politics.

"From panchayats, ordinary women want to participate in assemblies and Parliament.

"Congress, others wouldn't allow this. So they stopped the bill. 

"Dear citizens, Congress and its allies have constantly been lying about delimitation. They are claiming some states will be hurt by this. But the government has constantly been saying this will never happen. No one will lose representation.

"All states will get proportional representation. But Congress, TMC, DMK and SP were not willing to listen. 

"It was an opportunity for all. If the bill had been passed, Tamil Nadu, UP, Kerala, Bengal, all would have got more seats. Due to their selfishness, these people stopped that from happening.

"DMK could have allowed TN to get more seats. TMC could have helped Bengal develop. They ruined these opportunities."

Congress doesn't want women to get their share: Modi

"Each state would have gotten its fair share of representation," Modi said.

"But the Congress and its allies, in front of the whole nation, prevented this from happening. 

"Congress, TMC, SP, DMK and others are against the Constitution, and against women's representation.

"Congress doesn't want women to get their share. It has always been against this. Earlier attempts were also prevented by the party, just like this time.

"They have shown their true faces in the process. They will pay for their sins. They have lost a chance to stand for women's rights.

"Congress doesn't want regional parties to shine." 

Women's rights have been thwarted: Modi

Modi said: "Congress, DMK, TMC, SP others were clapping their hands when women's rights were thwarted. What they did were not just clapping; they were insulting the women of the nation.

"The women of this nation will never forget this. They will remember who stopped the passage of the bill. 

"We never thought to deny anyone anything. Everyone was supposed to get something."

"Every citizen of India is watching how dreams of our women have been crushed."

Iran evaluates new US peace proposals delivered via Pakistan

Iran announced on Saturday that it is currently evaluating new proposals presented by the United States.

As per a statement from Iran's Supreme National Security Council, the proposals were forwarded to Iran by Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir, who acted as an intermediary during his recent visit to Tehran, and they remain under consideration.

The contents of the proposals have not been disclosed.

The council said Iran has yet to respond, but further talks would require the US to abandon “excessive demands and adjust its requests to the realities on the ground.” It also said that Iran will maintain full control over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until “the war fully ends and lasting peace is achieved in the region.”

The council added that it considered the US naval blockade a violation of the ceasefire, and the Strait of Hormuz would not be reopened until that was lifted.

Speculation over Modi address after women’s quota hits Lok Sabha hurdle | Capital Beat

India’s political battle over women’s representation intensified after the Constitution amendment bill, part of the delimitation package, failed in the Lok Sabha on Friday (April 17), with experts alleging it was a “pre-planned political move” rather than a genuine legislative push.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepared to address the nation on Saturday (April 18) evening, questions swirled over whether the move was aimed at shaping electoral narratives rather than policy reform.

In this episode of Capital Beat, The Federal spoke with policy expert Radha Kumar, activist Shabnam Hashmi, and senior journalist TK Rajalakshmi on whether the Opposition can counter the BJP’s messaging.

Thirteen India-bound ships forced to retreat after IRGC firing at Hormuz

A fleet of 14 ships bound for India, transporting crude oil and gas, was halted by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which fired upon two of the vessels as they navigated through the Strait of Hormuz. This incident resulted in 13 of the ships redirecting to various locations within the Persian Gulf, according to official sources familiar with the situation.

One Indian-flagged vessel, which was hit by bullets fired by the IRGC while crossing the Strait of Hormuz, was carrying crude oil and a window pane was broken, forcing it to stop the journey and return. The extent of damage to the second vessel was not immediately known, but it had also returned.

However, another ship, which was Indian flagged and loaded with crude oil for the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, sailed through the Strait and is now heading towards India, the sources said.

Two Iranian gunboats advanced towards the designated tanker and opened fire without prior notice.

The gunboats neared the ship 37 kilometres northeast of Oman, prompting other vessels to turn back without finishing their passage, according to the sources.

India summons Iranian envoy after its tanker fired upon near Hormuz: Report

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday summoned the Iranian ambassador to India to express a formal protest following an incident in which an Indian-flagged tanker was targeted by Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz, Hindustan Times reported, citing sources. 

The envoy, Dr Mohammad Fathali, has been summoned for a meeting at 6:30 pm, the report added.

The Navy is currently working to gather information regarding the incident, as there are no Indian Navy vessels present in the strait.

As reported by Iranian media, two Indian ships were compelled to reverse their course westward after being targeted by the country's navy. It is believed that one of these vessels is an Indian-flagged very large crude carrier transporting approximately 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil.