Correct option is B
The correct answer is b) the need to study the state through gendered lenses and question male-dominated knowledge systems.
Feminist interventions have fundamentally transformed Indian political theory by moving beyond simply "adding women" to existing frameworks and instead challenging the very foundations of how we understand power, the state, and knowledge.
Information Booster :
Core Feminist Interventions in Indian Political Theory
Critique of the "Public-Private" Divide: Traditional theory often viewed the state (public) as the realm of men and the family (private) as the realm of women. Indian feminists (like Vina Mazumdar and Kumkum Sangari) argued that the state actively regulates the "private" sphere through personal laws, marriage acts, and inheritance rights, making the private deeply political.
The Gendered State: Feminists argue that the state is not a neutral arbiter. By examining the state through a gendered lens, they reveal how laws and policies often reflect patriarchal interests or reinforce traditional gender roles (e.g., viewing women primarily as "mothers" or "dependents" in welfare schemes).
Challenging Epistemology (Knowledge Systems): This intervention questions the "objectivity" of traditional political science. It argues that most political concepts (like citizenship, rights, and justice) were defined by men based on male experiences. Feminist theory introduces "Standpoint Theory," suggesting that knowledge is situated and that the perspective of marginalized women is essential for a complete understanding of politics.
Intersectionality: Indian feminist thought is unique in its emphasis on how gender intersects with caste, religion, and class. Theorists like Sharmila Rege have highlighted that a "Dalit Feminist Standpoint" is necessary because the experience of a Dalit woman is qualitatively different from that of an upper-caste woman or a Dalit man.