DOUBLE STANDARDS OF POLITICAL PARTIES REGARDING WOMEN’S RESERVATION: LALIT GARG

DOUBLE STANDARDS OF POLITICAL PARTIES REGARDING WOMEN’S RESERVATION: LALIT GARG

10-MAY-ENG 9

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------One of the greatest ironies of Indian democracy is that in a country where women are revered as "Shakti" (Power), "Matrushakti" (Maternal Power), and "Half the World," the intentions of almost all political parties appear dubious when it comes to granting them equal participation in politics. From the halls of Parliament to electoral campaign platforms, grand claims are made in support of women's reservation; yet, when the time comes to allocate tickets to candidates, most parties push women to the margins. The recent assembly elections have once again exposed this contradiction. The statistics regarding the tickets allotted to women by political parties in the assembly elections of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry are sufficient to demonstrate the vast chasm between the parties' rhetoric and their actions concerning women's representation. While the Women's Reservation Bill witnessed intense political tussles within Parliament, those very same parties displayed a distinct lack of enthusiasm in providing adequate opportunities to women on the electoral battlefield. This is not merely a matter of political strategy, but also a question of democratic ethics.

The West Bengal election garnered the most attention. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allotted tickets to only about 33 women out of 294 seats, whereas the Trinamool Congress (TMC) fielded approximately 52 women candidates across 291 seats. These figures amount to a mere ten percent of the total tickets distributed. The situation in Tamil Nadu was not significantly different either; parties vowing to bring about a change in power offered only limited opportunities to women. In states like Assam and Kerala, too, political parties confined women to a merely symbolic presence, preventing them from advancing beyond that point. Consequently, the number of women among the total elected representatives remained extremely low. This situation persists despite the fact that women constitute nearly half of the country's population. In reality, Indian politics has long been driven by a male-dominated mindset. Political parties often perceive women as "safe" or "weak" candidates. They harbor a fear that female candidates would be unable to perform effectively amidst the rigors of electoral combat—characterized by the interplay of money power, muscle power, and caste-based equations. This is precisely why most political parties grant tickets to women only in those constituencies where their chances of winning are slim, or where their presence is intended to be merely symbolic.

It is also ironic that the very political parties which deliver impassioned speeches in Parliament advocating for women's reservation often refrain from assigning women decisive roles within their own organizational structures. The top leadership of most national and regional parties remains dominated by men. Women are frequently confined to roles within the women's wing, cultural events, or social campaigns. Their participation in decision-making committees and strategic positions appears to be extremely limited. With regard to the Women's Reservation Bill, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attempted to send a political message by convening a special parliamentary session. The Opposition was accused of neglecting women's interests. However, the pertinent question remains: had there been a genuine political will to empower women, these parties could have—even in the absence of any constitutional mandate—independently fielded a greater number of female candidates. After all, what prevented the BJP, Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, or other parties from fielding at least 33 percent women as candidates? It is evident that the issue of women's reservation often serves less as a reflection of genuine social commitment and more as a means to secure political advantage.

Nevertheless, it must be acknowledged that increasing women's participation in politics has the potential to render democracy more sensitive and humane. Experiences from numerous countries across the globe demonstrate that wherever women's political presence has grown, issues such as education, healthcare, nutrition, water conservation, child safety, and social welfare have received greater priority. In India, women's reservation at the *Panchayat* (village council) level has yielded positive results. Many female *Sarpanchs* (village heads) and elected representatives have undertaken remarkable work in villages in the fields of education, sanitation, and women's safety. The greatest benefit of women's political participation is that it makes democracy more inclusive. The presence of women is not merely a matter of numbers, but also a matter of perspective. Women bring to the fore those societal experiences and challenges that a male-dominated political landscape often tends to overlook. Issues such as domestic violence, maternal health, workplace safety, girls' education, and gender equality gain real momentum only when women actively participate in the decision-making process. On the other hand, however, there are certain challenges that warrant discussion. Often, political parties grant tickets to women merely as a formality. In such instances, actual power remains in the hands of the male members of their families. Trends such as the "Sarpanch-Pati" phenomenon in Panchayats serve as examples of this. Furthermore, due to dynastic politics and nepotism, many capable women are deprived of opportunities, whereas women connected to political families gain relatively easier entry. Therefore, reservation alone is insufficient; the development of political training, self-reliance, and independent leadership capabilities is equally essential. Another challenge is the growing criminalization of electoral politics and the exorbitant costs involved. Contesting elections in Indian politics has become an extremely expensive and arduous undertaking. The culture of money power and muscle power limits women's participation. Social stereotypes also constitute a major obstacle; even today, many families do not consider politics to be a "suitable sphere" for women. Late-night political activities, public... The fear of public criticism and character assassination also deters women from entering politics.

The question also arises: will reservation alone solve the problem? Probably not. Reservation may serve as a necessary starting point, but it must be accompanied by a shift in societal mindset. Political parties must accord women decisive roles within their organizational structures. They must abandon the tendency to confine women merely to electoral posters or campaign drives. Establishing political training camps, providing financial support, and fostering a secure political environment are equally essential. Today, the imperative is to view women's representation not as an act of charity, benevolence, or political expediency, but as a fundamental democratic right. Until political parties voluntarily provide women with adequate opportunities, the equilibrium of democracy will remain incomplete. It is also true that women themselves must become more vigilant and organized regarding their rights. Without the cultivation of political consciousness and leadership capabilities, constitutional provisions alone will fail to yield the desired results.

Increasing women's participation in Indian politics is not merely an issue concerning women; it is fundamentally a question regarding the quality of democracy itself. If half the population remains excluded from the decision-making process, democracy too will remain incomplete and half-baked. Political parties must recognize that women's empowerment cannot be achieved through speeches and declarations alone; rather, it stems from genuine representation and equal opportunities. Unless this disparity between rhetoric and action is bridged, the vision of women's reservation will remain unfulfilled. Indeed, the recent assembly elections have made it abundantly clear that the "women-friendly" politics practiced by political parties remains, to a large extent, merely symbolic. Until women secure equitable participation in ticket distribution, organizational leadership, and policy formulation, the "other half of the world" will continue to appear relegated to the margins of democracy.