NEW DELHI — In a momentous occasion for Indian politics, Iqra Chaudhary Hasan recently took her oath as a member of the Indian Parliament, marking several historic firsts.

Draped in a simple white scarf, she represents many firsts — the young politician has become India’s youngest female member, the youngest Muslim and the youngest female Muslim. This achievement highlights her unique position in terms of gender, age and religion, as well as a sign that a shift in the nation’s political landscape has taken place this year.

Hailing from Kairana, a rural constituency in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India, Hasan’s journey combines a deep rural connection with an impressive academic background. She completed her schooling at Queen Mary’s School in New Delhi, graduated from Lady Shri Ram College at Delhi University and later pursued a postgraduate degree in international politics and law from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. 

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Despite her modern education, she has stayed true to her roots and openly identifies as a farmer in her election affidavit. This resonates strongly with her constituents, who admire her for carrying forward the “legacy of service” in her family.

Hasan’s entry into politics was initially motivated by family circumstances. Her mother, Tabassum Hasan, and brother Nahid Hasan, both faced legal charges that hindered their political roles. When her brother contested the 2022 UP Assembly election from jail, Hasan managed his campaign, travelling across towns and villages, which gave her hands-on experience with grassroots politics.

A legacy of political service

Hasan’s political lineage is notable. She is the daughter of former member of parliament Tabassum Hasan and the granddaughter of the late Chaudhary Akhtar Hasan, also a former lawmaker. As a third-generation politician, she carries the Hasan family’s legacy in Kairana and became only the second woman lawmaker from her family, following in her mother’s footsteps.

In the recent Lok Sabha election, Hasan defeated the incumbent BJP member Pradeep Kumar by a significant margin of 69,116 votes. Despite the high-profile campaigning by BJP heavyweights, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Hasan ran her campaign with limited external support.

Her win — achieved through a “walk alone” strategy that involved meeting voters face-to-face — left political analysts and opponents in shock.

In a recent interview, Hasan discussed her interest in democratic systems, which she explored academically.

“My research focused on how the current electoral system encourages majoritarianism and how a preferential voting system might reduce hate speech,” she said.

Her interest in reform was put to the test when her family faced legal challenges from the ruling party during the second wave of COVID-19.

“This marked the start of my legal battle with the BJP,” she said. “Now, stepping into politics feels like a natural extension of that fight.”

Winning on a local mandate

One of the core reasons Hasan said she believes she won was her local presence, opposed to her opponent’s reliance on national figures. She expressed concern over the BJP’s strategy of campaigning on national identity, known as Hindu nationalism, rather than addressing the needs of local people.

“People preferred a local face like me over a national figure like PM Modi,” she said, emphasizing her bond with her constituents.

Hasan also observed a growing disillusionment among farmers in her constituency.

“Back in 2013, divisions were sown among communities, largely made up of farmers. The BJP had promised to double their income and provide a better Minimum Support Price (MSP), but many feel let down,” she added.

According to Hasan, the 2024 elections saw farmers from different religious and caste backgrounds coming together over common grievances.

“This election wasn’t about national narratives—it was about local issues that truly matter to the people here,” she said.

Advocating for Muslim women’s rights

As one of the few Muslim women in India’s Parliament, Hasan has expressed her disapproval of the government’s stance on issues affecting Muslim communities. She criticized Modi’s approach — especially regarding the triple talaq issue — which criminalizes the civil act of instant divorce in the Muslim community.

“The intentions behind the law seem clear to many Muslim women, and there’s dissatisfaction,” Hasan said.

She elaborated on her concerns, saying, “Turning a civil issue into a criminal one was unnecessary. There should have been a more inclusive dialogue involving community voices.”

According to Hasan, the lack of community engagement has left many women facing the risk of abandonment, with some husbands neither granting divorce nor providing financial support.

“We need to address these gaps to truly empower women,” she said.

As Hasan settles into her new role, her agenda focuses on addressing the core issues affecting her constituency — agricultural distress, religious harmony and the rights of women.

She said she aims to be a voice for the marginalized and to bridge the gaps between rural and urban needs. Her commitment to the “legacy of service” she inherited from her family has resonated strongly with her supporters, and many see her as a leader who will bring a fresh perspective to parliament and a new era in Indian politics, where tradition and modernity converge.

Amit Pandey, an independent journalist based in India, covers a wide range of topics, including religion, politics and cybercrime.