Dalit leader from Wayanad makes history as Muslim League’s first woman national office-bearer
Wayanad, Kerala – In a significant move aimed at addressing long-standing criticism over lack of representation, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) appointed two women – Jayanthi Rajan from Kerala and Fathima Muzaffar from Tamil Nadu – as national office-bearers. This is the first time in IUML’s history that women have been appointed to national-level leadership positions.
The announcement was made during the party’s National General Council meeting held on Thursday, signalling a major shift in IUML's approach towards inclusivity, especially concerning gender, caste, and religious diversity.
46-year-old Jayanthi Rajan, a Dalit leader from Irulam in Wayanad, Kerala, has been a long-time associate of the party. Her political journey with IUML began in 2008 through her involvement with the Women’s League. She formally became a member of the party in 2010 and has since held several key posts, including National General Secretary of the Women’s League and State President of the Dalit League (Women).
Her entry into electoral politics was marked by a victory in 2010 from the Puthadi Panchayat, a women-reserved seat. She also served as the Standing Committee Chairperson of the Panamaram Block Panchayat.
Coming from a Congress-leaning family, Jayanthi was actively involved with Shreyas, a social service organisation in Sultan Bathery. It was through this platform that she first began collaborating with the Muslim League’s social initiatives.
“This came as a totally unexpected choice,” Jayanthi said while speaking to Onmanorama on her return to Wayanad. She also expressed gratitude to the party for their support. “People may call the League a communal party, but that’s absolutely wrong. This is not a party based solely on religion. They have always treated me like a dear sister,” she added.
Jayanthi credits her father-in-law, Irulath Ramankutty, a former president of the Bathery Block Panchayat, for motivating her to join the League. Her husband Rajan and their children are also active IUML members. Her son is a software engineer while her daughter is pursuing a BDS degree.
Despite not being able to continue her studies after Class XII, Jayanthi enrolled for a BA in Sociology from IGNOU four years ago. Although family responsibilities delayed her academic journey, she remains committed to completing the course.
IUML’s decision to appoint women at the national level comes amid increasing pressure over its handling of gender-related issues. The party had faced backlash in 2021 for disbanding the Haritha State Committee after its leaders raised complaints about misogynistic remarks by male counterparts in the Muslim Students Federation (MSF). While the committee was later reconstituted, the incident sparked debate over the party’s approach to women’s participation.
Disciplinary action against former Haritha members was withdrawn in 2024, and they were offered key positions in the Muslim Youth League – a development seen as an attempt to heal internal divisions.
Speaking about the Haritha controversy, Jayanthi remained cautious but optimistic. “It was the wish of the youth. Even if ideological differences exist, we will bring everyone under the party’s umbrella. They are the future of the Women’s League,” she said.
IUML has historically fielded very few women candidates. Noorbina Rasheed’s candidacy in the 2021 Kozhikode Assembly election came after a 25-year gap since Qamarunnisa Anwar contested in 1996.
Jayanthi sees her appointment not just as personal recognition but as part of a broader shift within the IUML. “This is a party decision. We will stand by the party’s decisions and move forward together,” she said.
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CJI calls for 'unified judicial policy', use of technology to converge practices across courts
Jaisalmer (PTI): Pushing for a "unified judicial policy", Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday said technology can help align standards and practices across courts, creating a "seamless experience" for citizens, regardless of their location.
He said high courts -- due to the federal structure -- have had their own practices and technological capacities, and "regional barriers" can be broken down with technology to create a more unified judicial ecosystem.
Delivering the keynote address at the West Zone Regional Conference in Jaisalmer, Kant proposed the idea of a "national judicial ecosystem" and called for an overhaul of India's judicial system with the integration of technology.
"Today, as technology reduces geographical barriers and enables convergence, it invites us to think of justice not as regional systems operating in parallel, but as one national ecosystem with shared standards, seamless interfaces, and coordinated goals," he said.
He emphasised how the role of technology in the judiciary has evolved over time.
"Technology is no longer merely an administrative convenience. It has evolved into a constitutional instrument that strengthens equality before the law, expands access to justice, and enhances institutional efficiency," he said, highlighting how digital tools can bridge gaps in the judicial system.
Kant pointed out that technology enables the judiciary to overcome the limitations of physical distance and bureaucratic hurdles.
"It allows the judiciary to transcend physical barriers and bureaucratic rigidities to deliver outcomes that are timely, transparent and principled," he said, adding that the effective use of technology can modernise the delivery of justice and make it more accessible to citizens across the country.
The CJI called for implementing a "unified judicial policy".
He said India's judicial system has long been shaped by its federal structure, and different high courts have their own practices and technological capacities.
"India's vast diversity has led to different high courts evolving their own practices, administrative priorities and technological capacities. This variation, though natural in a federal democracy, has resulted in uneven experiences for litigants across the country," he said.
Kant underscored that predictability is crucial for building trust in the judicial system.
"A core expectation citizens place upon the courts is predictability," he said, adding that citizens should not only expect fair treatment but also consistency in how cases are handled across the country.
He pointed to the potential of technology in improving predictability.
"Technology enables us to track systemic delays and make problems visible rather than concealed," he said.
By identifying areas where delays occur, such as in bail matters or cases involving certain types of disputes, courts can take targeted action to address these issues and improve efficiency, Kant said.
The CJI explained that data-driven tools could identify the reasons behind delays or bottlenecks, allowing for faster, more focused solutions.
"Technology enables prioritisation by flagging sensitive case categories, monitoring pendency in real time and ensuring transparent listing protocols," he said.
Justice Surya Kant also discussed the importance of prioritising urgent cases where delays could result in significant harm. He highlighted his recent administrative order that ensures urgent cases, such as bail petitions or habeas corpus cases, are listed within two days of curing defects.
"Where delay causes deep harm, the system must respond with urgency," he stated, explaining that technology can help courts identify and expedite such cases.
Kant also raised the issue of the clarity of judicial decisions.
He noted that many litigants, despite winning cases, often struggle to understand the terms of their judgment due to complex legal language.
"Although the orders had gone in their favour, they remained unsure of what relief they had actually secured because the language was too technical, vague or evasive to understand," he said.
He advocated for more uniformity in how judgments are written.
"A unified judicial approach must therefore extend to how we communicate outcomes," he said.
The CJI also discussed the role of AI and digital tools in improving case management. He pointed to the potential of AI-based research assistants and digital case management systems to streamline judicial processes.
"Emerging technological tools are now capable of performing once-unthinkable functions. They can highlight missing precedent references, cluster similar legal questions, and simplify factual narration," he said, explaining how these technologies can help judges make more consistent decisions.
He also highlighted tools like the National Judicial Data Grid and e-courts, which are already helping to standardise processes like case filings and tracking.
Kant reiterated that the integration of technology into the judicial process is not just about improving efficiency but about upholding the integrity of the system and strengthening public trust.
"The measure of innovation is not the complexity of the software we deploy, but the simplicity with which a citizen understands the outcome of their case and believes that justice has been served," he said.
