When a leader starts dividing women on the basis of ‘thinking’, then understand that politics is at its most uncomfortable point. Akhilesh Yadav’s recent statement is not just a play on words, but is an indication of the deep uneasiness that emerges when the confidence of ‘half the population’ gradually starts slipping. The attempt to divide women into ‘backward thinking’ and ‘modern thinking’ may seem like an ideological debate at first glance, but the politics behind it is much deeper. This is a sign of an effort where the traditional vote bank is changing and new narratives are being created to stop it. This is why this statement should not be seen as just a comment, but as a strategic response. Especially when the record of this politics has always been under question on major decisions related to women’s rights.
Women’s ‘Thinking’: A New Way of Political Classification
The politics of dividing the society into different categories is not new. But, dividing women into ‘modern’ and ‘backward’ thinking is definitely a new form of this strategy. The problem here is not just of words, but of the mentality which assumes that women’s thinking can also be defined according to political convenience. Instead of accepting the freedom of women, this approach tries to fit them into a fixed frame. In the current effort of Akhilesh, an attempt is being made to make the PDA which he talks about a separate basis of classification among women also.
When there was a chance in Parliament, what was the attitude?
Here the biggest contradiction comes to the fore. On one hand, women are being taught the lesson of ‘new thinking’, and on the other hand, when the opportunity came to give representation to women in Parliament, the attitude of the Samajwadi Party was completely different. The Nari Shakti Vandan Act (Amendment), which was considered a major step to quickly increase the political participation of women (the Nari Shakti Vandan Act has been passed in 2023, in which 33 percent reservation for women is fixed), was not supported by the SP in the Lok Sabha. Now the question is, on what moral basis is the party which did not stand with the amendment bill strengthening women’s rights in Parliament, today trying to divide women into ‘modern’ and ‘backward’ thinking?
The burden of heritage, and the claim of ‘new thinking’
Politics is decided not only by the present but also by the past. Many statements of Mulayam Singh Yadav even today remind us of the level of thinking about women.
Has been. Statements like “They are boys, it becomes a mistake” were not mere controversies, but indicative of an attitude in which crimes against women were taken lightly. In such a situation, when leaders belonging to the same political stream today claim ‘new thinking’, it is natural to raise the question whether the thinking has changed, or only the choice of words has changed.
Distance from real issues, attempt to divert debate
The real issues for women have always been clear: safety, respect and opportunity. But, instead of providing answers to these issues, if the debate is diverted towards the classification of ‘thinking’, it indicates that the real questions are being avoided. The perception created regarding law and order during SP rule is still a part of political discussion. This experience influences the decision of the female voter, and this is the reason why a change is now visible in her political inclination.
Changing equation, and increasing restlessness
Women voters are no longer the same as before. She is not just a part of identity based politics, but is taking decisions based on her experience and expectations. This change becomes a challenge for political parties. And often at such times, new narratives emerge, which divert attention from the real issues and create a new debate. Akhilesh Yadav’s statement should be seen in this context, where an attempt is being made to create a new political ground through classification.
‘Half the population’ is now deciding the direction
It is plainly clear that dividing women into ‘backward’ and ‘modern’ thinking is a superficial political effort. Today’s women see themselves as
Does not limit the classification. She sees who is standing for her rights and who is just making statements. Decisions taken in Parliament, on the ground
The experience of work and security forms the basis of his decision. ‘Half the population’ is no longer just a vote bank. the power that decides the direction of politics
It has been made. And perhaps this is the truth that exposes the real concern behind such statements.
(The author is a lawyer in the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court. He writes continuously on political and social issues.)