Archive · 20 Jul 2025
Few Muslim Women Elected to Lok Sabha Since Independence
Since India became independent, only 18 Muslim women have become members of the Lok Sabha, which is like the main meeting place for making laws.
A new book tells their stories, showing they came from different backgrounds but all faced challenges.
Many came from families already in politics.
The book highlights how few Muslim women are in Parliament, and that none have come from southern states.
Now, only one Muslim woman is currently in the Lok Sabha.
Only 18 Muslim women have been elected to the Lok Sabha since India's independence.
The book 'Missing from the House' chronicles the stories of these women.
13 of the 18 were from political families, reflecting a dynastic trend.
The book notes that no Muslim women MPs have been elected from any of the five southern states.
Iqra Hasan Choudhury is the sole Muslim woman MP in the current Lok Sabha.
- Who
- 18 Muslim women who have been members of the Lok Sabha.
- What
- A book chronicles the history of Muslim women in the Lok Sabha.
- When
- Since India's independence, and the book to be released next month.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To document and highlight the representation of Muslim women in the Lok Sabha.
Discrepancies
Current Status
Inadequate Representation
Discrepancies
Some sources may have inaccurate representation of the total number of women elected in the Parliament.
Current Status
The data suggests the representation is significantly low, given the population percentage.
- Total Muslim Women MPs
- 18
- Current Muslim Woman MP
- Iqra Hasan Choudhury
- Book Title
- 'Missing from the House'
- Authors
- Rasheed Kidwai and Ambar Kumar Ghosh
- Political Families
- 13 out of 18