In recent years, Parliament has passed several laws that promote social justice, inclusion: Lok Sabha Speaker

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla during the inaugural ceremony for Heads of Delegations at the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), in Tashkent on April 5, 2025. Photo: X/Loksabha via ANI

The inclusive and welfarist nature of the Constitution of India integrates marginalised and backward sections of society into the mainstream of progress, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Sunday (April 6, 2025). He was delivering the keynote address at the 150th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Speaking on ‘Parliamentary Action for Social Development and Justice’, Mr. Birla said that in recent years, the Indian Parliament had passed several legislations that promoted social justice and security, and encouraged the inclusion of all sections of society. He said Bills, including the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016; Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019; and Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 safeguard the interests of all sections.

He also referred to the new labour laws and codes passed by Parliament for the “welfare and social security of workers in the unorganised sector”.

Mr. Birla said that by replacing the Indian Penal Code with the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, India had established the primacy of justice. He noted that the various Parliamentary Committees, often referred to as ‘mini’ Parliaments, perform a complimentary function to the efforts of the Parliament and the government, ensuring effective implementation of schemes.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader highlighted initiatives, including the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), via which free health insurance is being provided to the bottom 40% of the population. He said under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India had achieved the distinction of being the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with 105% GDP growth over the past decade, and rapid progress towards its goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’ in 2047.

Mr. Birla said India was on its way to becoming the third largest economy, and playing a leading role in the world in innovation, AI, startups, space and defence technology, IT, fintech, and pharmaceuticals.

On the sidelines of the Inter-Parliamentary Union summit, Mr. Birla met Tran Thanh Man, President of the National Assembly of Vietnam. Recalling his 2022 visit to Vietnam, he emphasised the close cultural and historical ties between the two countries, and said cooperation in various sectors, including defence, technology, infrastructure, and nuclear energy had helped shape their future frameworks.

“President of the National Assembly of Vietnam extended best wishes on Ram Navami. He also emphasised the cultural ties between the two countries. The President also underlined the need for strengthening the close defence and technology ties between India and Vietnam. He extended an invitation to Mr. Birla to visit Vietnam,” a government release said.