Indian Politics is Changing, 2019 Will Be About Women

New Delhi: Earlier this week, the Raghubar Das-led Jharkhand government reviewed the land revenue policy of the state. In a meeting attended by key administrative heads of various departments, it was decided in principle that any property registered in the name of a female family member shall henceforth invite a token stamp duty of just Re 1.

The new policy, which will be sanctioned by the state cabinet next week, would cost the exchequer close to Rs 250 crore in revenue loss annually. But then, it’s a political decision which the ruling party calculates will reap rich electoral dividends.

The move by the state government in many ways is indicative of the changing paradigm in the Indian polity wherein women are increasingly being considered an independent political constituency. Also Read | Teach Children to Respect Women The Way They Respect Men: Nirbhaya Judge

The spontaneous public outrage on the streets of Delhi following the ghastly gang rape of a young girl in the winter of 2012 led to massive protests for days together. A month ahead of the Republic Day parade, from India Gate to Raisina Hills protesters fought a pitched battle with the police. Also Read | All 4 Nirbhaya Killers to Hang, SC Calls it 'Rarest of Rare' Case

But then, when was the last time India protested and condemned violence against women in this manner and with such outrage?Also Read | Nirbhaya Gangrape a Rarity, Most Rape Cases Haven't Completed Trial

The political class, in general, has been quick to grasp and respond to the altering realities of the nation's polity. In government, Akhilesh Yadav launched a scheme to provide sanitary napkins to adolescent girls in government and aided schools. Similarly, there is also a political intent behind banning liquor in Bihar. Don't be surprised if Nitish Kumar makes prohibition his calling card if he were to be UPA's PM candidate in the future. It's a policy issue which concerns nearly half of the total electorate. Modi government's Ujjwala Yojana providing LPG connections to poor families targets the same constituency.