The demand for fairer representation of various sections of the society in politics, economics, education and employment has been gaining ground consistently over the years. It is now an accepted principle for a state to advance the interests of the marginalised to bring them more opportunities through various policy measures. As a result, Anne Phillips points out, there has been an increased focus on ‘demands for political presence’ in order to bring into political power those groups that have hitherto been under-represented for various reasons.1 T his has further led to a demand for a more “adequate representation” of different social groups in the government, resulting in actions like quotas for women in political parties to break down old power structures and build a more equitable society