Dr. Simmi Gurwara
Independence Day arouses mixed emotions. It swells our nationalistic pride many notches up to see the kind of development that we have made, in all spheres. It spurs our confidence when the newly elected government doles out the promises and allows us to envisage the advancements that we are going to make, with a roar, in every field, fulfilling the great Indian dream. But what about the things that remain pathetically unchanged despite their condemnation and open castigation by all right-minded people- nationally and internationally. Like our strongly entrenched mindset which refuses to change when it comes to the stereotypical image which we desperately want the women of our country to stick to. If they digress, tongue lashing of the worst order follows. This is the bare minimum that can be handed out to the erring half population.
Time doesn’t seem to change. The more we change, the more we remain the same. This un-changeability of men and their minds is nothing less than deplorable. The world has changed. A new world order has emerged. But we seem to be oblivious to all positive changes occurring round us. Perhaps we see them as an aberration. Exception is crying out to be converted into a norm.
Unsurprisingly, the great Indian mindset works like a rut which doesn’t allow any change. The roles are well defined, the positions are fixed. Any attempt to escape the rut is a crime. And the punishment could be as variegated as it possibly can be-from public lynching to gang rape to social boycott to sarcastic gaze to eve-teasing. These measures assume legitimacy, once the woman has ‘crossed the line.’ The self-styled morale brigade is out there to teach such audacious women a lesson that they can’t forget.
Really? Is this the 21st century. Why does it resemble the dark ages.
Who after all is to blame for this wretchedness of minds. Is it our parental values that lack sensitivity towards girls with ‘boys will be boys’ approach. When the foundational values go amiss, there is little that can be repaired at a later stage. The harm that is done by implanting crass and misguided values cannot be undone in spite of best efforts. Formative years are undoubtedly most crucial in shaping up the value system of children. Reports of the crimes committed by the juveniles are a case in point. The brazenness with which they operate is mind-numbing.
There is no divide between rural and urban, at least with regard to this phenomenon that is all pervasive. Even the so-called educated class practices gender bias. What could be more unfortunate than this. The aspirational India is marching towards progress, unstoppably. Signs are visible everywhere except in the case of women and the treatment that is meted out to them. We need to unshackle the old mindset to accept the new.
Equality is the fundamental right of every citizen of this country. You don’t have to be a man to enjoy that right. Women need to stand tall and raise their voice in the face of wrongdoing. At least now there are some noises when the elected representatives try to lay down the definitions of ‘dignified dressing.’ Good to see the fledgling signs of protest. Why are women all the time instructed about their dos and don’ts. Now it’s time for men to take their lessons, rather seriously. Sooner they learn, the better it would be.
