Haryana

Negotiations and resistance to hegemonic gendered values become a part of the everyday lived experiences of women when they enter the domain of sports. Against the backdrop of the vibrant sports culture and institutions, in a village in Haryana, the study examines the changing notions of femininity and the role of social structures in shaping the experiences of sportswomen largely from the agrarian background.

The 73rd amendment to the Constitution has given a new lease of life to panchayati raj institutions in terms of the continuity of regular elections and certainty for their permanent existence. But the strength of these institutions has been left to the apathy of the state government. The political leaders and bureaucracy did not allow the institutions of self-governance to grow by granting them the desired functions, finance and functionaries. However, the present government in power in the state has delegated several schemes to strengthen these institutions.

Gender, Power and Identity: Essays on Masculinities in Rural North India by Prem Chowdhry, Hyderabad: Orient BlackSwan, 2019; pp vii + 288, ₹795.

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s sweeping victory in Haryana in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections has highlighted the changing nature of politics in the state. The BJP overshadowed the regional parties which used to be its coalition partners in past elections. Dynastic politics which was one of the main features of Haryana politics was rendered ineffective as the BJP was accepted across various socio-demographic indicators.

The conditions imposed by the amendment to the panchayati raj law in Haryana have not only excluded a large section of the population from contesting elections but have also deprived voters of their right to choose. All appropriate measures must be undertaken to ensure that these exclusionary conditions are withdrawn.