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Missing from the House: Muslim Women in the Lok Sabha
They broke barriers to build democracy.
Muslim women in Indian politics are outliers, their lives and journeys shaped by patriarchy, religious orthodoxy and systemic exclusion. Yet, against formidable odds, eighteen have made it to the Lok Sabha since 1952.
Missing from the House tells their stories for the first time. Through the lives of these trailblazing parliamentarians, this book uncovers the battles they fought, not only to win elections but also to challenge a political system designed to keep them out. From political dynasts like Akbar Jahan Abdullah, Abida Ahmed and Mehbooba Mufti, to grassroots activists like the Gandhian Zohraben Chavda, doctor-politician Mamtaz Sanghamita and actor-turned-MP Nusrat Jahan, their journeys span privilege and struggle, silence and defiance.
Urgent and deeply insightful, Missing from the House is a powerful account of political agency, representation and the unyielding fight to be seen and heard in Indian democracy.
Muslim women in Indian politics are outliers, their lives and journeys shaped by patriarchy, religious orthodoxy and systemic exclusion. Yet, against formidable odds, eighteen have made it to the Lok Sabha since 1952.
Missing from the House tells their stories for the first time. Through the lives of these trailblazing parliamentarians, this book uncovers the battles they fought, not only to win elections but also to challenge a political system designed to keep them out. From political dynasts like Akbar Jahan Abdullah, Abida Ahmed and Mehbooba Mufti, to grassroots activists like the Gandhian Zohraben Chavda, doctor-politician Mamtaz Sanghamita and actor-turned-MP Nusrat Jahan, their journeys span privilege and struggle, silence and defiance.
Urgent and deeply insightful, Missing from the House is a powerful account of political agency, representation and the unyielding fight to be seen and heard in Indian democracy.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2025
2 people want to read
About the author
Rasheed Kidwai
11 books14 followersRasheed Kidwai is a non-fiction Indian writer and journalist. He has authored SONIA - A Biography and 24, Akbar Road, a book based on Congress party headquarters.
Kidwai graduated from the reputed St. Stephen's, Delhi and studied Mass Communications from Leicester University, UK. He was awarded an 'India Scholarship' by the British Council and Commonwealth office in U.K. He has worked with reputed newspapers, like the National Herald, Asia News International, The Asian Age. Presently, he is currently working as an Associate Editor with the Delhi Bureau for The Telegraph.
Now he lives in Delhi, India.
www.facebook.com/rasheed.kidwai
Kidwai graduated from the reputed St. Stephen's, Delhi and studied Mass Communications from Leicester University, UK. He was awarded an 'India Scholarship' by the British Council and Commonwealth office in U.K. He has worked with reputed newspapers, like the National Herald, Asia News International, The Asian Age. Presently, he is currently working as an Associate Editor with the Delhi Bureau for The Telegraph.
Now he lives in Delhi, India.
www.facebook.com/rasheed.kidwai
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