Read of the Week (Sept 14 to Sept 20)

They broke barriers to build democracy. Muslim women in Indian politics are outliers, their lives and journeys shaped by patriarchy, religious orthodoxy and systemic exclusion. Yet, against formidable odds, 18 have made it to the Lok Sabha since 1952.

Missing from the House tells their stories for the first time. Through the lives of these trailblazing parliamentarians, this book uncovers the battles they fought, not only to win elections but also to challenge a political system designed to keep them out.

From political dynasts like Akbar Jahan Abdullah, Abida Ahmed and Mehbooba Mufti, to grassroots activists like the Gandhian Zohraben Chavda, doctor-politician Mamtaz Sanghamita and actor-turned-MP Nusrat Jahan, their journeys span privilege and struggle, silence and defiance. Urgent and deeply insightful, Missing from the House is a powerful account of political agency, representation and the unyielding fight to be seen and heard in Indian democracy.

Rasheed Kidwai is a journalist, author, columnist and political analyst. A former associate editor of The Telegraph, Kidwai tracks government, politics, community affairs and Hindi cinema. Ambar Kumar Ghosh is a political scientist who works on diverse areas, including political leadership and institutions, welfare politics, constitutionalism, women's and youth political participation, among others.