New Delhi: Journalist and author Rasheed Kidwai has drawn attention to the stark underrepresentation of Muslim women in Indian politics. Since Independence, India has elected over 690 women Members of Parliament, yet only 18 have been Muslim. In his new book Missing from the House: Muslim Women in the Lok Sabha, Kidwai describes this gap as a “democratic failure” that weakens claims of inclusive governance.
Muslims form nearly 15 to 16 percent of India’s population, but their political visibility among women remains negligible. Kidwai explained that representation is not only about gender, but also about how political parties engage with minority communities within that gender. He pointed out that while Sikh and Christian women have achieved representation beyond their population share, Muslim women continue to be sidelined.
None of India’s five southern states, known for social progress, has ever elected a Muslim woman to Parliament. Kidwai attributed this to patriarchal party systems, conservative social norms, and dynastic barriers that limit new entrants. He acknowledged leaders like Mamata Banerjee for fielding Muslim women such as Nusrat Jahan, but said symbolic gestures cannot replace structural reform.
Kidwai also reminded readers of early Muslim women pioneers like Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah and Begum Aizaz Rasul, noting their integrity and contribution to public life. He urged all political parties, from the BJP to Congress and regional outfits, to consciously include Muslim women in leadership roles. According to him, empowering Muslim women politically will not only ensure fairer representation but also strengthen India’s democracy.
