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A major challenge to the women's movement has come from what is known as identity politics, that is, politics based on the question of - mainly religious - identity.
In a country like India where people are deeply religious, the politicizing of religion, and its instrumental use to target minority communities and gain votes, has led to several complex realities. As parties of the religious right have gained ground in India, they have begun to recruit increasing numbers of women. And women, in turn, have eagerly embraced the party ideology, no matter that it may be patriarchal, and indeed regressive for them. Thus, when the campaign on religion and communalism began, one of its key messages was that all religions are patriarchal and they oppress women. Also, women activists within the movement have been very concerned at the increasing participation of women in violent campaigns based on religious identity and targeting both men and women of the other religion. Similarly in areas of armed conflict and political violence, women have often espoused causes that have no space for them in their ultimate goals, but that make use of them as actors in the path towards achieving these goals.
While the participation of women in the violent politics of religion has been one cause of concern, the campaign has also focused on other areas such as law, and activists have worked hard to find a solution that enables access to egalitarian and inclusive laws for women.
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