Movies like 'Thalaivii' show why the Women's Reservation Bill is a wake-up call for women to form A 'Gulaab Gang'

In Kangana Ranaut’s Thalaivii is a powerful scene where her sari is ripped and torn in parliament by a minister. Based on what happened to Dr J. Jayalalithaa in 1989, this anecdote is powerful because it told and continues to tell the story of countless women in politics.

From Vasundhara Raje’s leaked photographs, to Mayawati’s guest house scandal, to Mamta Banerjee’s Kolkata firing incident, to Indira Gandhi being called a witch, to Maneka Gandhi’s ad scandal, the smear campaign faced by women who enter public life is hardly new. Social media’s easy voyeurism has made it so much worse.

A trickle down from prevailing cultural attitudes and social discourse, the treatment meted out to women in politics explains why politics is India’s Bermuda Triangle for women. The attitude of name calling, character assassination, reductionism, and diminishment highlights why there is such an underwhelming representation of women in politics.

And this is not just in India. Theresa May was labelled a ‘bloody difficult woman’. Hillary Clinton was called ‘heartless’, among many other monikers. Angela Merkel was labelled an ‘iron frau’. Female politicians have it rough and pay a social penalty. They face flak because of their gender. It doesn’t help that men are antagonistic to female candidates.

Everyone is not sexist, of course, but outrageous personal attacks by male politicians makes it even more difficult for women. Ordinary women have to deal with trolling on Twitter, widespread misogyny, derogatory comments, threats to safety, and reductionist attitudes. Imagine then women in the public space, women mingling with the masses and the Lutyens, women shaping public policy. How can women thrive when it is difficult for them to survive?

No wonder then that despite our 685 million women, India ranks among the lowest out of 193 countries when it comes to the number of women in parliament. There are hardly around 14%female legislators in Parliament, far below the global average of around 25%. Even countries like Nepal and Saudi Arabia have more women in politics than we do.

This despite our impressive retinue of female Presidents, Prime Ministers and Chief Ministers. A fete even the US has not achieved. This despite the fact that research has shown that female legislators are better for the Indian economy. This despite our Gram panchayats that have strong female representation with over 40% women sarpanch.

We can all concede that female representation is low in parliament and therefore in decision making, which is a key indicator of a country’s empowerment, progress and equality. Yes?

We can all concede that politics is still a male domain. Yes?

That politics is a dirty field that is neither kosher nor for the faint-hearted. Yes?

That there are many reasons why women don’t enter politics in India. Yes?

But how can the parliament be representative of the electorate or our republic, if women are disproportionately represented? Who better represents women-centric issues than other women?

The time has come that such obstacles are fought. With the reservation of 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha for women, as per the Women’s Reservation Bill , apna time aa gaya hai.

Why is this important? Women’s political participation in India’s independence – though scantily recognised – has enabled many women in terms of education, suffrage, and economic emancipation. Increasing the number of women in national government will impact governance and transform leadership. It will galvanise other young female professionals.

This step in the right direction, needs to become a giant leap for women.

The issue is that though the government has shown interest and initiation, it’s done so with too many caveats like the bill coming into effect only after a delimitation exercise based on Census Data, which does not seem to have a clear timeline. Since the government has made a move to address India’s low female political participation, let’s do it right. The reservation needs to come into effect immediately, not as an afterthought.

There also needs to be more intersectionality. Women from marginalized communities and minorities should also have equal access and representation.

Let’s also not forget that men have historically been powerful allies in India’s feminist movement. If Sarojini Naidu asked for women’s voting rights, Raja Ram Mohan Roy abolished Sati. If Savitribai Phule fought for caste, education and social upliftment, Mahatma Gandhi started the Stree Shakti movement. We’ve all stood together for a better India.

Ask yourself. Women voters have increased in number, and in some constituencies like Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, female voters outnumber male voters. All women polling booths are set up around India. Women are voting with gusto, yes! But the burning question is are they voting for other women?

Do women vote for other women?

YES! A resounding yes! Who else understands what it takes for a woman to break not just the glass ceiling but the glass floor? Who else understands that we don’t want to be your devi or your dayin, your abla nari or krantikaari. We just want to be a normal nari.

But I recall going to vote in the South Mumbai constituency where there were all male candidates. I was sorely disappointed that this happens even in Mumbai even in the 21st century. If we don’t see female candidates, how do we vote for them?

Women have to raise their voices, be heard, vote for other women, and stand for elections. We have to take a collective call to become a vote bank. To form our own gulaab gang. Leavingelections as a battle among men is as outdated as the old boysclub, so let’s leave it where it belongs: in our nation’s rear-viewmirror. Remember, a small step in parliament is a giant leap for women everywhere.

Meghna Pant is a multiple award-winning and bestselling author, screenwriter, columnist and speaker, whose upcoming novel THE MAN WHO LOST INDIA (Simon & Schuster) will be published in December 2023