February 12, 2009

Looking beyond PINK

The first time I heard of PCC, I was intrigued and wanted to read and know for myself what the deal was. On reading the page and what they intended to do, it sounded like something in lines of a simple rally or protest which was to be staged. This protest was not on the roads or by sitting hungry at the steps of a building. This is a technologically advanced and internet savvy protest and predominantly with the metropolitan crowd of women.

Women who are not in the cities and independent do not presently fall in the purview of the Sena. They wish to bring the western thoughts and practices down and culturally tie a noose around the necks of women. But isn’t this a more deep-rooted problem and not related to just drinking and wearing a pair of jeans with a noodle strap?

Here is an article by Sagarika Ghose on CNN IBN which has a different view to the problem which we are facing with. She believes that the problems are more of classes than of clothes.

This is a thought which prevails in the minds of many today that an educated woman, who earns a living, can hold a roof over her head and take care of her children will in the days to come have a voice and would want her voice to be heard. Till today, the household ladies did not need to their voices heard as in many cases; their needs were never with the society at large. Their needs were taken care of by the male members of the family but now that they are outside their homes for a large chunk of the day and require the society to accept their role. Unless this acceptance occurs, there can not be a true advancement with each member of the society contributing to the economy.

If there is any hope to bring a small amount of equality to India then, we need to see what is the true issue that is faced by the many who are consorting to religion and culture to show the anger which might be brewing within for some other reason altogether.

And, I do not think I will be doing anything which is going to be of the form of a pink underwear mailed via the India Post.

There have been previous incidents in the west, and this has been only categorized under extremist behaviour, even if for the upliftment/liberation of women. On the face of anger and frustration, one might think that
‘tit for tat’ is the best solution, but how successful have these ideas ever been through history? Do we want to regret the whole project once the aftermath is seen? I do not think that more than media coverage of goons with pink underwear, anything adverse is going to come of it. I do not want the extra media for these goons and I think we require well directed taunts backed with facts which they will have to retort back too. And here I am sure with education to back us, we shall prove that culture and religion can not be the solution to the present...

If we want to bridge the gap between the two fighting sides then the best solution is to look ahead. And, if you are not interested in looking ahead, then keep the ideology which you follow to those who are of the same thought and who see the right in what you preach.

Beating women in hope of making them adhere to your norms will not be tolerated in a free country. There might be many women who see the right in what you say, and you can beam ear to ear seeing these I women. Do not try to change us Indian women who are not interested in your thoughts.

Edited to add this yet another blog entry by Zubin Driver, very relevant to this post.

8 comments:

  1. new theme is nice.
    here is a collection of few good posts on PCC
    http://www.phoenixritu.com/2009/02/12/of-bangles-underwear-and-honor/

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  2. 'one might think that ‘tit for tat’ is the best solution'

    But where is tit for tat here, Aathira? Pink campaign is as peaceful as it could get.

    Tit for tat would be barging into Muthalik and his cronies house and beating them red and blue.

    At least these women are just sending chaddis not sending goons to harass women folks in anybody's house.

    I wasn't very supportive for Pink chaddi campaign when it started and the reason why I didn't put logo on my blog. I supported the initiative though but then I started reading posts about how us women should keep our dignity and chaddi is undignified. Since when? Till when? Why should we hide our chaddis, birth control pills and sanitary napkins when they can't keep even their khaki knickers intact? What is so shameful about chaddis?

    And those who are advocating about serious talks on the issue, it is like saying in a domestic violence when a man slaps a woman 10 times, let us still have peaceful dialogue.

    Also women drinking and clothes make men high so we should be dignified. Tell me how then does a 3 months old girl gets raped?

    I for one support this peaceful campaign and the very reason is hypocrisy and dignity talk by others. Ironically Ms. Ghose is also part of Pink chaddi campaign.

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  3. Oh! I forgot to mention. I love this new theme :)

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  4. Reema: Thanks. I love this theme too! Thanks for the link, some truly wonderful posts.

    Solilo: I feel that sending pink underwear is just again an act which is not going to get anything out of it, as did the Sena's act of beating and harassing women.

    I do not feel one bit that a pink chaddi is undignified, I did not ever mean to say that also. Nothing shameful about chaddis, I just feel that be it a pink chaddi, a pink bra or a pink sari, its not going to achieve anything.

    The examples you have given, I totally understand what you mean and it is sad. But I feel these men are so hardened that a campaign like this is not going to do anything.

    Most of the women who undergo domestic violence do not react or scream and but go back to these men. And these women will not in any way be associated with such a campaign. It is not what they do. It is not that they are ashamed of a chaddi, but they do not see the reason behind sending it to someone.

    If it is a question of doing something in protest, I think I will go to a pub on 14th and drink. That is me and that is something I do not want to change. But sending a pink chaddi is just not me.

    Thank you. I love this theme too :)

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  5. 1. i love your name

    2. i can't agree with you more on the 'education' and 'bridging the gap' bit!!! that is the way to go!! not throwing pieces of cloths at each other and pulling textile industry out of recession.

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  6. Roop
    1. Thank you so much :)
    2. I hope that after all the clothes being flung, now it shall be down to action!

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  7. That's quite an insightful post on this issue!

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  8. Well said! Muthalik and his followers are against independent women coz they believe as per indian tradition women should stay inside the house looking after kids. This is one reason why we are still a developing country. The enormous talent of our women was not utilised by past generations while western countries effectively channelised the talent of their female population towards the developement of their economies.

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