Tribal women have been working alongside men at home and outside. To now try and deny them their electoral right reflects the failure of the State government (Editorial — “Bowing down to patriarchy”, Feb.10). Urban Local Bodies have functioned smoothly without any fuss. Rather than have civil society or women rights groups demand affirmative action favouring women, the State government should take it upon itself to lead from the front. No attempt should be made to dilute Part IXA of the Constitution.
Shivam Dwivedi,
Lucknow
Reservation for women in Nagaland is crucial for their empowerment because there has been no woman legislator in the State ever since Nagaland attained Statehood in 1963. Between 1969 and 2008, women have hardly made a mark in politics due to electoral vagaries. Crushing societal prejudices and gender discrimination against women, therefore, assumes particular significance in Nagaland.
Ganapathi Bhat,
Akola, Maharashtra
