Feminist politics in India: Women and civil society activism

Abstract

The paper examines feminist politics in India and the various issues with which they have been engaged. The two issues that divide women and inhibit alliances among the women’s movements are the Uniform Civil Code, and the reservation of seats for women in Parliament and state legislatures. The problem is not only differences in perspectives. It is rather the shift in the centrality of feminist politics from women’s issues alone, to identity politics of caste and religion. Women’s interests and gender justice are undermined by the identity politics of caste and religion.