Zealous Reformers, Deadly Laws Book

Acknowledgements 9

Introduction 11

Part I Battling Stereotypes

1 From Manusmriti to Madhusmriti: Flagellating a Mythical Enemy 73

2 Zealous Reformers, Deadly Laws: The Conflicting Interpretations and Politics of Sati 82

3 Naive Outpourings of a Self-hating Indian: Deepa Mehta's Fire 100

4 Allies or Adversaries? The Continuing Hold of Traditional Female Moral Exemplars in India 119

5 Learning to Take People Seriously 140

6 Dowry: To Ensure Her Happiness or to Disinherit Her? 156

7 Using Women as a Pretext for Censorship: The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Bill 176

Part II Battling Domestic Violence

8 Women's Organizations I: Vengeance Squads, Firefighters or Counsellors? 189

9 Women's Organizations II: The Pressure of Unrealistic Expectations 199

10 Laws Against Domestic Violence: Underused or Abused? 205

11 Well-intentioned but Over Ambitious: A Review of the New Domestic Violence Act 217

12 Destined to Fail: Inherent Flaws in the Anti-dowry Legislation 232

Part III Inheritance Rights

13 Toiling without Rights: Ho Women of Singhbhum 253

14 Inheritance Rights for Women: A Response to Some Commonly Expressed Fears 309

Part IV Challenges of Politics and Organization

15 Nature of Women's Mobilization in Rural India 341

16 The Logic of Quotas: Women's Movement Splits on the Reservation Bill 373

17 Indian Politics: Encourages Durgas, Snubs Women 388

18 Enhancing Women's Representation in Legislatures: An Alternative to the Government Bill for Women's Reservation 397

19 Lack of Gender Solidarity: Systematic Degrading of Women Politicians 414

About the Author 420