Muslim Women's Journey to Inclusive Representation in India's Lok Sabha
The journey towards inclusive representation in India's Lok Sabha has been slow but steady, with Muslim women playing a significant role. Despite challenges, they have set high standards for public service, free from corruption or hate speech allegations.
Early trailblazers like Mofida Ahmad and Maimoona Sultan entered the Lok Sabha in 1957, with Sultan serving two terms. However, it's been a struggle for visibility. No Muslim woman was elected to the Lok Sabha in five terms, and their representation never exceeded four members in a single term. The book 'Missing from the House' argues that their exclusion is structural and normalized by societal perceptions. Only 18 Muslim women have served as MPs since 1951-52, out of roughly 7,500 elected MPs. Notably, no southern state in India has ever elected a Muslim woman MP. Despite comprising 7.1% of India's population, Muslim women have remained largely absent from the 543-seat Lower House.
The journey towards equal representation for Muslim women in the Lok Sabha is ongoing. Their struggles for visibility enrich India's democratic narrative beyond mere institutions. As India continues to grow and evolve, so too must its representation.
