MAIL BAG
Women and freedom
I read Meera Nanda’s article “Witness to a Kidnapping” with initial interest and then growing discomfiture. Overall, I would agree with the author, but the last paragraph stuck in my craw. It is sadly true that systemic violence is inflicted on women on a day-to-day basis and the same goes largely unreported. And even if it is reported, it never evokes public outrage in quite the same manner as, say, the response to the attack in the pub in Mangalore. But when people decide to stand up for a fundamental right, even if they are privileged group and have perhaps been thus far apathetic, I would celebrate the fact. For, through awareness of the fragility of one’s own autonomy, maybe we will grow more empathetic to the autonomy of others.
The perception of personal freedom is an individual one anyway. My personal, hard-fought-for freedoms could well be the birthright of another. So I don’t think it constructive to challenge the depth or parameters of freedom. Rather, it behoves us all to pull together in the protection of constitutional freedom at large. The real issue in this case is violence against women. Any woman. We must protest this.
Kirtana Kumar,
Bangalore
The article was well articulated and insightful. The poignant incident was an indicator of how the police act in the event of an honour killing in this country in the name of protecting woman’s right.
It is really a matter of shock seeing a woman kidnapped. Honour killing is rampant in India. Dowry deaths, rapes, molestations and a swathe of other crimes against women are commonplace even amongst the socio-economic elite. According to a survey, a whopping 37.2 per cent of married Indian women regularly experience spousal violence.The question is why does the land of the Mahatma that has traditionally viewed “stree” (women) as the embodiment of “shakti” (power), ill-treat them thus? Indian women, especially the rural folk, have deep-rooted fears about losing their economic support and shelter if they rebel against a violent spouse.
C. P. Chandan
Delhi
While the Mangalore pub incident evoked spontaneous condemnation from various quarters, incidents like honour killings/women bashing/ untouchability are treated as social crimes concerning certain individuals. The majority of Indian society is indifferent to such happenings. Those sections which practise rigid social customs do not approve of liberal thinking on issues such as inter-caste marriages. So, among these social groups, marriage of choice by an adult person, especially a woman, does not seem to be recognied as a fundamental right.
The writer has rightly captured the mindset of the present day youth. When the wayward youth tie the nuptial knot to the choice of their parents, their waywardness is forgiven and forgotten. The majority of Indian women do not view marriage as an unwritten equal partnership. They view it as a safe haven bringing them safety, security and social status.
Social crimes such as honour killings etc can not be stopped by law alone. There should be greater awakening and cohesion among various women groups to demand a fair deal and share in nation building.
G. Kulandaivelu
Panrutti
The article raised some pertinent questions in my mind: Is the fake honour created by the so-called religion preservers bigger than the real human life created by God? In the garb of self-created religion, why are humans dividing God? Doesn’t an adult of 18 years or above have the right to chose his/her own spouse? When will the parents stop burdening their children with their own choices? Who has to live with the partner after marriage? The parents, the society? Is the blood flowing in the veins of a Muslim different from the one flowing in the veins of a Christian, a Hindu, a Sikh? Let’s all join hands and make one institution — the institution of humanity
Richa Taneja,
New Delhi.
Memorable institutions
Reading the two articles on the first and last page of the Literary Review (March 1) was a journey through two enriching experiences. “Writers Workshop @ 50” and “Shakespeare & Co” will remain two memorable odysseys through institutions that value literature. That such places exist in this materialistic world where serious pursuit of words is valued is soothing to say the least. Could one get an opportunity to be part of the endeavours?
Saurabh Sinha
Bhilai
Correction: In the column “In Passing” (Magazine dated March 1) we had inadvertently carried a picture of Kay Kay the singer instead of Kay Kay Menon, the actor. We regret the error.
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