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Book Review
Continuing battle against odds
Soma Basu
FEMALE INFANTICIDE AND CHILD MARRIAGE: Sambodh Goswami; Rawat Publications, Satyam Apartments, Sector 3, Jawahar Nagar, Jaipur-302004. Rs. 795.
This book is a maze of facts, data, archival records, interviews, census reports, theories and argument that documents the emergence and growth of the twin nefarious practices still prevalent in Rajasthan. The no-frills title “Female Infanticide and Child Marriage” makes it obvious that women’s battle against odds continues to be as intimidating and disheartening. Into the 21st century, yet women’s fight for a life of dignity is on despite the efforts of various enlightened rulers, individuals and caste or social organisations over the centuries to abolish the baneful practices. That Sambodh Goswami chose Rajasthan as a case study to explore the origin, causes and prevalence of these malpractices in various castes and regions is no surprise. Being a backward state, the position of women here is within the feudalistic and patriarchal framework. The inevitable truth about the deterioration in status of women in India and in particular in Rajasthan makes it a perfect choice.
Status of women
The bizarre societal behaviour and the failure of the administration, politicians and people to crack down on this heinous crime make it a hopeless case even after decades of incessant work for women’s uplift and position. The author tries to explore some crucial issues relating to the lives of women in this region and concludes how cultural contexts and norms are strongly influential.
The work mainly focuses on ancient and medieval times. Though the penultimate chapter attempts to look at recent times, it shifts focus on to female foeticide and then abruptly ends stating that the problem continues with several cases of child marriages coming to light on the occasion of Teej and Basant Panchami. It provides a theoretical framework by analysing the changing perspectives of the social evil and how the native rulers tried to put an end to female infanticide; but the practice of child and unequal marriage could not be successfully checked.
Though in many places the Act prohibiting child marriages and legitimising widow remarriages has been put in place, the practices continue. Social scientists believe, writes Sambodh, that Rajasthan has been needlessly denigrated for child marriages, and the foreign media in particular has always flaunted this visual of child bride and the state’s backwardness. Several enlightened individuals, social and caste organisations have tried to keep the issue alive, and have opened schools and libraries for knowledge empowerment of women. But the society has chosen to undermine the status of women.
Uphill task
The book’s major contribution is in reiterating that we are still haplessly grappling with the problem. In a state like Rajasthan, steeped in the concept of worshipping Sati and Jauhar, countering the heinous social customs is an uphill task. It is estimated that 1.6 crore child marriages continue to take place across India, ignoring the law. Of this, 18.3 lakh are from caste-ridden Rajasthan where children even below five are married off or traded like cattle. It is more widely practised than is usually believed in.
The research draws from 1911 Census and is replete with figures on marriage of children below 10, married males under five years, one year and even infant and pre-natal marriage besides the number of widowed children in different age groups. Though Sambodh’s work is an honest effort and a meticulous compilation, it leaves you with the feeling of a task undone. For, the past is not distant yet.
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