Introduction

At the beginning of the new millennium democratic states are facing some pressing problems. Among these are a more just representation of the different groups in society, be it ethnic minorities or women, and the decentralisation of the political decision-making process, which becomes increasingly important in a globalising world. The exclusion of women from positions of political power is especially widely lamented, and has emerged as a contentious political issue. Interestingly enough, India, otherwise classified as a ‘developing’ or ‘backward’ nation, is – at least from a constitutional point of view – at the forefront as concerns inclusion of marginalised groups in the political process and the devolution of political power.

The passing of the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution in December 1992 is considered by many as a milestone in the history of women's political participation in India. Besides providing the basis for the mandatory introduction of a system of rural local self-government in all Indian states, it laid down a reservation of seats and offices for women of not less than 33 per cent. Additionally, there is provision for a proportional representation of women in the existing Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) quotas. This system of local self-government, called Panchayati Raj (‘rule of the five’), was introduced in the 1950s, but lay dormant in most of the states. Since the ratification of the Act by the state Legislatures on 24 April 1994, all Indian states except Bihar have held elections, and in March 1997 there were 716,234 women representatives in office.