Page 20 - 31MAR2019E

OpiniOn
dilemmas
HumrA
QurAISHI
The Delhi-based writer I prisoners do not carry any of the posi-
and columnist’s books
include Kashmir: The
Untold Story. She co-
authored a series of
writings with the late
Khushwant Singh and
her short stories are
part of anthologies.
The views expressed
are her own
Sheer hypocrisy revolves
around Women’s Day
The purpose to special days seems hijacked not just by the political
mafia but also by opportunists. Can hollow assurances save women
from the rounds of uncertainty, violence and insecurity they face?
am writing this column on the eve ings, but the reports on the jailed women
of the much-hyped International
tives. In fact, it could be double whammy
Women’s Day. I do realise I could
have written this either a couple of for them, as their minor children also
days before or even after 8 March, sit affected. Needless to add, none of the
as the deadline isn’t staring in the planners seem to give a damn to open
face. Why then I’m sitting unleashing all jails where these hapless women and
my thoughts and emotions right now? their children could get to breathe some-
This is simply because I can no longer what freely!
stand the sheer hypocrisy that revolves Even the not- so –jailed amongst us
around this day. To be nearer precision, are finding the going tough…tougher it
there’s immense façade around all the gets with levels of hypocrisy and double-
so called ‘days’, marked for a this or for speak peaking by the day! Anyway, I have
a that! The sole purpose to these special declined all possible invites to all those
days seems hijacked not just by the politi- Women’s Day celebration events. Don’t
cal mafia but also by the opportunists know what’s there to celebrate…or what
hovering around. could be there to celebrate in the upcom-
Getting back to the International ing years! What’s the point hosting or
Women’s Day, the entire façade to attending gaudy receptions when murky
the ‘celebrations’ couldn’t get worse. lies the scenario.
What, with political speeches and frilly Another worrying factor stands out:
receptions and high teas! Nah, nothing There’s this massive anti-men propa-
concrete comes up for the women who ganda which has been on in the country.
are sitting deprived and at the mercy As though all men or boys are devils
of the very system and the entire social or demons or rapists. This notion or
structuring. Tell me, will the political perception, is not just far away from the
speeches and hollow assurances save truth but very damaging to the very co -
them from the rounds of uncertainty existence. Mind you, men and boys also
and violence and insecurity they face get raped and molested and used and
in everyday life. They could be from any abused. They too are human beings and
possible region or religion but the social go through mental and physical tortures
taboos and injustices and the growing of the worst sorts. Nah, they aren’t even
political rot stand out to this day and age. supposed to cry out or unleash their
Hollow development cries or claims of fears and apprehensions, nor name their
the political rulers have not made appar- women-molesters and tormentors!
ent changes to the existing ground reali- To be blamed is the political rot and
ties. Visit any basti or mohalla or qasba the very system it controls to further its
or even an urban slum and there sit the intrusions. Even a serious crime such as
disadvantaged women, battling it out on rape is just about discussed in the televi-
all possible fronts. sion studios where the so-called experts
And though we aren’t permitted to en- come up with those horrifying ‘off-with-
ter jails and prisons to see for ourselves head’ sentences. Mind you, without even
those behind- the –high walls happen- bothering to go to the backgrounders to
Tehelka / 31 march 2019 20 www.Tehelka.com