A constituency suitable for ladies and other social histories of Indian elections

"This book focuses on the Indian tradition, since before independence, of establishing separate electoral constituencies for women. Women have participated in politics through a variety of creative and innovative forms. Wendy Singer demonstrates that using the 'category' of women as a lens through which to view the practices and particularities of elections, can illuminate the whole process in profound and unexpected ways. Singer reveals that far more than simply being markers of democracy, the practice and process of elections are part of an ongoing social drama that re-enacts citizenship. Therefore, the narratives of women as a special category of citizen are constantly influenced by and influencing the related histories of other social groups - Dalits, minorities, and backwards classes." "'A Constituency Suitable for Ladies' - derived from the Congress party policy in the 1960s to provide designated seats for women - interrogates the creative practices that have constituted India's efforts at finding suitable means to assure rights of participation for all citizens. From separate electorates for women and Muslims before independence to the proposed constitutional amendment that would have provided one-third representation to women in parliament and perhaps reservations for backward classes, this book uses the tools of social history to examine the evolution of women as special category in Indian politics."--Jacket.