The launch of “Missing from the House,” a book on Muslim women MPs, sparked discussions on representation and politics, featuring insights from J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other notable figures.
The recent launch of “Missing from the House,” a book coauthored by Rasheed Kidwai and Ambar Kumar Ghosh, highlighted the underrepresentation of Muslim women in Indian politics. J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah served as the chief guest at the event, where he expressed surprise at the statistics presented: since the first Lok Sabha in 1952, only 18 Muslim women have served as Members of Parliament (MPs).
During his address, Abdullah conveyed skepticism about the potential for increased representation under the current government, pointing out that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) does not include a single Muslim in its Council of Ministers. His remarks underscored a broader concern regarding the political landscape and the challenges faced by minority communities.
The book launch attracted notable attendees, including Iqra Hasan, Sagarika Ghosh, and Salman Khursheed, who joined Abdullah on stage. Iqra Hasan, a prominent MP from the Samajwadi Party and a graduate of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, resonated with the audience when she discussed her decision to wear a headscarf in Parliament. She explained that while she never felt the need to cover her head during her student years, she chose to do so now to shift the focus away from superficial discussions and toward substantive political issues.
Abdullah also tackled the topic of political dynasties, challenging the audience to consider the double standards surrounding the issue. He posed a thought-provoking question: “If anyone else does it, it is halal, but if politicians do it, then it’s haram.” He argued that unlike other professions, politicians are held accountable every five years through elections. “If you don’t like my work, you will cut my ticket,” he added, emphasizing the unique accountability that comes with political office.
His comments struck a chord with the audience, as he highlighted the lack of similar checks in other fields, such as business and entertainment, where dynastic successions are common. The launch of “Missing from the House” not only served as a platform for discussing the representation of Muslim women in politics but also coincided with the impending implementation of the Women’s Reservations Bill, making the conversation even more timely.
In another significant political development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat both celebrated their 75th birthdays this week, leading to speculation about their future roles. This milestone age is traditionally associated with the Marg Darshak Mandal, a council of elder statesmen within the BJP. However, both leaders have made it clear that they have no intention of stepping down. Instead, they appear to be united in their message that Modi will continue to lead the BJP into the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Modi has already made history by addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort for 12 consecutive years, surpassing Indira Gandhi’s previous record. Such milestones are significant in the realm of politics and contribute to the narrative of leadership continuity.
Meanwhile, in Bihar, the Congress party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) are engaged in crucial negotiations over seat-sharing arrangements ahead of the upcoming elections. This foundational aspect of any political alliance has become a focal point, especially as Congress leaders emphasize the need to demonstrate their presence in the state through the ongoing Vote Adhikar Yatra.
In the last Assembly elections in 2020, the Congress was allocated 70 seats while the RJD received 144. The Congress’s performance was disappointing, winning only 19 of its contested seats, whereas the RJD secured 75. However, in the subsequent Lok Sabha elections, the Congress managed to win three seats compared to the RJD’s four, prompting the Congress to approach negotiations with heightened expectations.
One Congress leader noted that the party is not merely seeking a larger number of seats but rather focusing on the quality of the seats they are contesting. There is a sense that the previous allocation did not provide them with winnable options. To add complexity to the negotiations, Rahul Gandhi has yet to endorse Tejashwi Yadav as the alliance’s Chief Ministerial candidate, a move that some view as a strategic bargaining tactic.
Adding to the political intrigue, independent candidate Pappu Yadav recently met with Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, claiming that the Congress has several potential CM candidates, including Rajesh Ram and Tariq Anwar. However, during a rally in Bihar, Akhilesh Yadav, another alliance partner, publicly endorsed Tejashwi Yadav as the CM face, asserting that Bihar needs a leader like him. Tejashwi himself has embraced this role, referring to himself as the “Original CM” in contrast to Nitish Kumar, whom he labeled a “nakli” (duplicate), suggesting that the BJP is manipulating the political landscape.
Given the RJD’s status as the dominant party and Tejashwi’s position as its chosen leader, it seems likely that he will emerge as the Mahagathbandan’s Chief Ministerial candidate. However, as is often the case in politics, what appears obvious can quickly become complicated.
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