Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : Breaking glass ceilings: Tamil Nadu women leaders talk power and politics and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
In a rare political tableau in Tamil Nadu, senior women leaders from the BJP, DMK and AIADMK shared a stage, hugged each other, traded barbs and agreed on one thing: women must move to the centre of power.
India Today’s the “She-Power” discussion, meant to focus on leadership and participation, soon turned into a spirited clash over welfare, safety and representation, without losing its cross-party warmth.
BJP’s Khushbu Sundar, DMK’s Dr Kanimozhi Somu and AIADMK’s Apsara Reddy set aside formal rivalries to debate what more must be done to strengthen women’s role in governance, even as they sparred over their parties’ records.
WELFARE MODEL VS POLITICAL REPRESENTATION
Opening the discussion on women’s progress in Tamil Nadu, Dr Kanimozhi traced the state’s approach to the Dravidian movement and the ideas of Periyar. “Women need empowerment, education, and they should not be dependent on others in the society,” she said, adding that successive governments had carried that vision forward.
She cited key schemes under the current DMK government since 2021, including free bus travel for women, which she said helps them save between Rs 1,000 and Rs 3,000 a month. She also referred to the Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme, saying “around 1.30 crore women across the state” have benefited, with nearly Rs 29,000 credited cumulatively into each beneficiary’s account since inception.
On education, she spoke of the revamped Pudhumai Penn scheme, under which girls pursuing higher studies receive Rs 1,000 per month. “This has caused a major leap in the increase of percentage in the higher education system,” she said, arguing that financial support ensures women are not dependent on anyone.
But the discussion quickly shifted to a key concern: representation.
It was pointed out that in the 2021 Assembly elections, only 12 women were elected, down from 17 in 2016. Ticket distribution to women remained under 5 per cent in the last election, raising questions about whether welfarism had translated into real political power.
‘DON’T POLITICISE WOMEN’
Khushbu Sundar, while acknowledging the welfare measures of past governments, called for a broader national perspective.
“I think across party lines, we need to look at women not as a commodity of a particular party,” she said. “If anything happens to women of this country, we have to look at it as women of this nation that we call India.”
She argued that patriarchal mindsets still deter women from entering politics. “Politics needs a very open-minded family which says it’s fine for women to be in politics. That support from within the family unfortunately doesn’t happen,” she said.
Khushbu also backed the Women’s Reservation Bill passed in Parliament, while responding to criticism over delays in implementation. “What you couldn’t achieve for so many years, you have just given us nine years. Let us continue,” she said, defending the central government.
Striking a conciliatory tone amid sharp exchanges, she added, “Women were raped, period. Whether it happened in Pollachi or Anna University, it’s the same. You cannot keep dividing atrocities against women according to political requirements.”
AIADMK FLAGS SAFETY, RESERVATION
Apsara Reddy of the AIADMK took a more combative line, insisting that facts must be confronted.
“When you talk about so many councillors being women, it was AIADMK which brought in 50 per cent reservation in local body elections,” she said. She also credited her party with establishing all-women police stations and other initiatives aimed at safety and employment.
Raising concerns over crimes against women, she said POCSO cases had nearly doubled and cited recent incidents of sexual violence. “For women to come forth in politics, women have to band together. Besides being BJP, DMK or AIADMK, we have to be a vote bank as women,” she said.
She urged parties to speak “in a successive voice” rather than “score political points”, warning, “Every moment that we delay, there’s a child getting raped somewhere.”
DMK COUNTERS, RESERVATION ROW REKINDLED
Responding to criticism, Dr Kanimozhi defended the Dravidian model’s long record, pointing to property rights, reservations in government jobs and education policies for women.
On the Women’s Reservation Bill, she welcomed its passage but questioned the timeline. “I would have appreciated Modi ji if he had implemented the women reservation policy then and there. Why all nine years?” she asked, arguing that linking it to census and delimitation could delay its enforcement.
The exchange briefly turned heated, with references to past controversies and remarks by leaders from different parties. Yet, the moderator steered the conversation back to common ground.
BEYOND THE DIVIDE
Despite the sharp political back-and-forth, the leaders repeatedly returned to the theme of solidarity.
“We three are here from different political parties. But the minute we walked in, we hugged each other,” Khushbu said, drawing applause.
Dr Kanimozhi echoed the sentiment. “Let all women join hands together, put our forces in front and say, yes, we need this. We will create policies. We will stand upright,” she said.
There were lighter moments too, with references to friendly interactions in Parliament and even school connections between their daughters. “We are women and we get along well,” Khushbu remarked.
THE LARGER QUESTION
Tamil Nadu remains one of the few states where women voters outnumber men and where social indicators for women – from literacy to public health initiatives – are often cited as among the best in the country. Yet, the debate made clear that political representation lags behind welfare promises.
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