The Women?s Bill got shafted yet again and ?mother India? was demeaned and insulted by her ?sons?! That is what is so utterly despicable ? the hypocrisy of the men of this country who cling to their mother?s umbilical cords and yet, are unable to send a Bill through Parliament with dignity, ensuring rights of women, their mothers, wives, sisters and mistresses. They forget that they emerged from the womb of a woman. Yes, it is as foolish as that.
The insecurity of the Indian male is evident in large measure. Their acceptance of the inherent weakness of their sex reflects in all they do and in the manner they behave towards women, be it eve teasing, rape, gang rape, dowry deaths, wife beating etc…our news is full of this kind of male ?normality? in India. This is how they rid themselves of the deep frustration they are confronted with vis-a-vis the calibre of women in society. Behaviour such as this can only come from weak, insecure men. To dwell on it would be to repeat what we witness and experience every day.
The Women?s Bill being constantly shafted only symbolises this demented mindset and continuing attitude of this specie. Small wonder that Indira Gandhi was referred to as the only ?man? in her cabinet! When she first assumed power as Prime Minister, crude colleagues would call her the goongi gudiya. Vile things were said about her because of her gender, much like those said even today about some of our women leaders. But gradually she had them where she wanted them ? under her little finger, dancing to her tune, doing her bidding. Rightly, she treated them with the scorn they deserved. Men have a deep-seated fear about the strength of women. When women assert, starting with their mothers, they fall in line.
Just pause for a moment ? if Indian women were to assert themselves with their men, use their rights as equal citizens, boycott their needs even for a month, the men would crumble! The Indian male in Parliament, for a start, seems to be closer to the ?morality? of the Taliban than to any civilised grouping. The battle will be far more substantial than a Bill in the Lok Sabha!
Maybe all ?reservations? should go. What will the JD, the RJD, some in the Samata and the BJP have to say to that? All hell will break loose, with fisticuffs and more. On the 6th of May, the behaviour of those opposing the Bill in Parliament was disgraceful. If our leadership portrays itself, publicly and shamelessly, in this unholy fashion, there is little hope that India will rise to take on its problems and begin the rectification. No one seems to be in control of anything, not even in control of dignified democratic functioning. If only the Prime Minister had forced the tabling of the Bill, we would have known where we stood. But we always dither and we always have a reason and an excuse.
It is ironic, but these days if you want an admission, a government job, a special dispensation, it is easier if you belong to a ?reserved? category. It is one way to move forward without the adequate requirements and the number of young people who want to be registered in this category is growing with each passing day. They do not care whether they belong to a ?higher caste?, they would rather be a ?privileged? lot. Jobs and a roof over your head are more important than being a Brahmin or a Kshatriya. The crafty and ingenuous amongst us have gotten on with their lives shunning the baggage of the past. They break the archaic rule, beat the flabby system, adjust to the changing social mores, and grab what they can get in this nation of scarcities. The following generations adopt the new social graces!
The earlier ethic has been overwhelmed and suffocated by the politicians, the administration and therefore society. The new norm is in the process of formulating itself. What one sees today is complete anarchy. Honesty, integrity, gracious behaviour are all dirty words. Manners and language have taken on a bizarre hue. You threaten and kill instead of debate and discuss. Only God help us.
