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Beauty hand-cuffed by Beast

by: Disha Mashelkar

When Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), India’s leading educational hubs; Vice-chancellor was quoted saying that girl students had been denied access to the Maulana Azad library because “boys will flood the library if girls are allowed and there isn’t enough space” it sparked a cacophony of arguments in the media. Voices from leading News channels questioned on the freedom Indian women enjoys in the 21^st century.  The very day, the news found ranting was the failure of sterilisation of women in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh which killed 8 of them. (11 November 2014)  Two different news stories with one victim! ‘Women’

The unwanted shackles placed on women by the Indian society are not ready to douse the flames of injustice caused at them time and again. The morning newspapers are flooded with news items ranging from domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, molestation and many draconian crimes that gnaw at women.  Rape and Sexual assault being the most recent ones. The government keeps harping about the several laws and security help lines rejigged to show their servility towards females in India but none of them could be of any help in actual time of crisis.

The problems faced by women while being in the society is not just restricted to house-wife or working professionals, but has permeated to school going girls too. Recently, Bengaluru reported many cases of rape and sexual assault found among school going girls. The agitation by parents took to streets and helped to speed up the arrest of the culprit. This is reminiscent of Delhi gang rape case where thousands of people took to streets with candle-lights, protesting against the heinous crime and the inept government to stop such gory crimes. 

Women in the form of goddess, is praised in India while women on the streets are been exploited.  In 21^st century where women are self-sufficient and economically independent the power and ego of thirsty scavengers make her cripple on her knees. Sometimes the ruckus is on her clothing and sometimes on her speech. Her audacious endeavour and her rebel to follow the patriarchal norms rack up the injustice towards her which she doesn’t deserve.

History is evident of the several feminist movements abroad and also at the time of India’s freedom struggle, great leaders like Mahatma Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Ramabai Ranade and many more, stood for women empowerment and their education. They fought against the society and faced their anger just to help women gain its respect in society and make her stand on her own feet which she was deprived of.  All the efforts taken by these great leaders seem to bear fruits as today women are pursuing education and jobs which mark their economic liberalization.

But when we read news stories like renowned universities stopping girl student’s entry into libraries, can this light up a new agitation? As the famous saying reads, “History repeats itself”. 

The picture is used just for representation