'NOT A MATTER OF RELIGION, OUR SOCIETY IS FEUDAL'

From growing up in a conservative Tamil Muslim household to giving voice to women's struggles through her unapologetic writings, 56-year-old Salma broke every barrier armed with pen and politics. As she makes her maiden entry into Parliament, holding the ideals of social justice close to heart, Salma aims to find power from pain. Her journey is not just survival but a rebellion in motion

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SALMA (56) is, in herself, the story of a woman who refuses to be silenced. Growing up in a conservative Tamil Muslim household in Thuvarankuruchi, she found escape in poetry, pouring her deepest frustrations and desires onto the page. Her writing, raw and unapologetic, gave voice to the struggles of women like her, confined by tradition but hungry for freedom.

She found herself in politics in 2001 when she was elected the Ponnampatti Panchayat president, a post reserved for women.

She joined the DMK in 2004 and, in 2006, contested from the Marungapuri constituency, losing by a slim margin. From 2006-11, she was the chairperson of the Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board. This year the DMK nominated her to the Rajya Sabha and she was sworn in on Friday.

Her works include Saabam, translated as "The Curse', a collection of short stories, and Irandam Jaamangalin Kadhai, translated as 'The Hours Past Midnight' by Lakshmi Holmstrom.

In a freewheeling conversation, the newly sworn-in MP met with a group of journalists from TNIE as part of Express Dialogues, reflecting on her journey from poetry to politics and how defiance shaped both her words and will.

Excerpts:

You entered political life when your family put you up for it. How did you use that opportunity?

I had taken the pen name of 'Salma' because writing was not encouraged in my family. My first collection of poetry was published in 2000, although I had been writing for several years. I received so many positive reviews. I counted 38 to be exact.