Explained Books | Women and the conservative Right: an analysis

The answer to the question posed by the book Women, Gender and Religious Nationalism — why women advance the agenda of the Hindu right despite its conservative views on gender — is complex.

A foot march by the RSS women's wing in Lucknow in May 2022. (Express Photo: Vishal Srivastav. File)

It’s a question that has been asked repeatedly in the United States over the past few years: why do so many white women continue to support the Republican party at a time when its conservative politics has in many ways clearly turned against the interests of women? Some scholars ask similar questions with regard to the mass support that the BJP gets from women in India.

The power of the women’s vote is clearly recognised by most parties in India, including the BJP. The Narendra Modi government has repeatedly positioned itself in support of “nari shakti” or women’s empowerment, citing decisions such as the criminalising of triple talaq in 2019; the changes in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act in 2021 that made abortion access easier; the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign for the education of girls; LPG connections to poor women under the PM Ujjwala Yojana; the extension of paid maternity leave to 26 weeks; and permanent commission for women officers in the Army.

Scholars have, however flagged a dissonance between the government’s seeming attitude towards women’s issues, including economic and educational issues, and the ideological position traditionally espoused by the Sangh Parivar. The answer to the question posed by the book Women, Gender and Religious Nationalism — why women advance the agenda of the Hindu right despite its conservative views on gender — is complex.

Edited by Amrita Basu and Tanika Sarkar, the first two sections of the volume trace the long process through which women (and, to an extent, girls) were given space in the predominantly masculine worldview of the Sangh, particularly through storytelling, and how leadership roles — albeit in a small measure — were opened up for women in the BJP.

The section on women’s participation in Hindu militant organisations examines how community and neighbourhood mobilisation — “social work” — is used to transform the “ideal” Hindu homemaker into a street fighter.

Significantly, the book tests preconceived ideas about where and from whom resistance to the politics of Hindutva might come and the unexpected places in which the ideology might find resonance. The chapter by Jennifer Ung Loh traces the ways in which Hindutva has struck roots among several trans communities; and the chapter on the #ReadyToWait campaign in Kerala by J Devika questions the assumption that women’s resistance is always feminist.

Title: Women, Gender and Religious Nationalism (Eds)
Edited by: Amrita Basu and Tanika Sarkar
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Pages: 360
Price: Rs 1,295

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Pooja Pillai

Pooja Pillai is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, working with the National Editorial and Opinion section. Her work frequently explores the intersection of society, culture and technology. Editorial Focus & Expertise Pooja’s writing spans several key domains, often blending analytical commentary with cultural critique. Art & Culture: She writes extensively on cinema, books, and the evolving landscape of arts and entertainment. Technology & Society: Her work examines the human impact of the gig economy, the rise of AI in creative fields, and the cultural shifts driven by digital platforms. Food & Lifestyle: She often uses food as a lens to explore history and politics, covering everything from the origins of pantry essentials to the impact of nutrition policy. Politics: She closely tracks political developments in South and West India and provides commentary on international political transitions, including the shifting landscape of American politics. Multimedia & Podcasting Pooja is a prominent voice in the Indian Express’s digital ecosystem. She is the host of 'DeshKaal with Yogendra Yadav', weekly video podcast where she facilitates deep-dive conversations on Indian democracy, social movements, and current political affairs. Notable Recent Works Cinema & Identity: “SRK@60: Why Shah Rukh Khan is Bollywood's last, and only, superstar” – an analysis of stardom and the changing face of Indian identity Global Politics: Commentary on the Trump administration’s misguided “war on woke culture” via typography and analysis of the visual semiotics of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attire during successive visits to the White House. Art & AI: “An unequal music: AI is lowering barriers at the cost of music itself” – a critique of how technology is redefining artistic value. Professional Presence Pooja is active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where she shares her latest columns and editorial insights. Her full archive and latest updates can be found on her Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More