Abstract
This article highlights the perpetual under-representation of women in Indian
parliament. As the recently held 14th General elections in India situated a stable
government at the centre, however, it still has lesser women representatives. The
election commission reports from 1957 to the recently held general elections in
2014 highlights emancipation of women from mere absent electorate to active
voters. Further, the data also underlines a shift from mere active voters to vibrant
candidates, as the number of women candidates is increased manifold. Despite
these positive shift from becoming ‘active voters’ and ‘vibrant candidates’, women
are unable to capitalise the increase in number of candidates to members of
parliament. Undoubtedly, the traditionally placed patriarchical society in India is
still unwelcoming when it comes to elect women as the political representatives.
Apart from patriarchy as the important reason other various political and nonpolitical reasons is also responsible for this democratic deficit. The substantial
representation of women is missing in proportion to their population. While we
celebrate the vibrancy of Indian democracy, the issue of under-representation of
women continue to be a major challenge for Indian democracy.
David Lal, Abhiruchi Ojha, Nidhi Sadana Sabharwa. (2015) Issues of Under-Representation: Mapping Women in Indian Politics, South Asian Studies, Volume 30, Issue 1.
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