REVISITING FEMINISM IN CONTEMPORARY INDIA: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF LEGAL REFORMS, GENDER JUSTICE, AND THE PURSUIT OF EQUALITY

Abstract

The development of feminism in India has experienced many waves of social, political, and legal changes depending on the multiple intersections of gender, caste, and class as well as religion in India. This is a critical review of the feminist thinking and activism in modern-day India with respect to how legal reforms have contributed to gender justice and gender equality. It discusses the ways feminist movements have contributed to legislative reforms, judicial interpretations as well as policy designs that seek to destroy patriarchal structures. The research assesses the drawbacks of current legislation, gender biases that remain intact in the law, and the issues of the enforcement of gender-neutral legislation, as well. Based on the interdisciplinary visions of law, sociology, and gender studies, this paper presents the current debate between old traditions and new changes. It presents the argument that, despite great progress of gender equality in India, the structural forces, cultural opposition, and institutional preferences are still posing as a barrier in the achievement of real justice. The review ends with a call to ensure the inclusion and intersectional and transformative feminism that follows the constitutional vision of equality and human dignity.