On Attires & Culture!

Following the infamous gang rape case of Delhi, one assumed that Indian males would reflect upon the traditional bias against women & correct their mindset. After all, we worships goddesses & deities in our homes everyday and seek from them blessings in the form of knowledge, wealth, and security. Our nation too is our ‘motherland’. But reactions to the ghastly event brought out again how we as a society discriminate against women both at home & outside. The bias cuts across the political & social spectrum. A Congress MP described the protesters crying for change in rape laws as ‘dented & painted women’ implying perhaps they did not represent the real or Aam women. The remark led to a huge outrage forcing him to apologize & retract what he had said. The BJP performed no better. An MP Minister mentioned a Lakshman Rekha for women- you cross it and you would be punished like Sita! The RSS Chief termed marriage between man & woman as a ‘contract’. The woman serves the man & he provides her security. Whatever happened to our much not only means shifting the onus of crime from accused to the victim but revered culture! There were snide remarks opposing everything that women do-using mobile phones, wearing western wear or working late. It is curious how one can blame wearing of jeans for sexual assaults on women. Men of all ages are seen clad in jeans without an eyelid being batted. Besides, linking of attire to culture is ironic. How are khaki shorts worn by RSS workers in consonance with Indian culture? If we go around the country, we can see dhotis, lungis, pajamas &, churidars in plenty but not one ‘Aam aadmi’ in British army-style khaki shorts. Raising such non-issues also violates the principle of equality of sexes enshrined in our Constitution. If men are free to dress up the way they like, let them not preach sermons to women because the fault lies with men.  When a Pir, a spiritual healer of eighty rapes a minor of thirteen in Kashmir or a young rickshaw puller sexually assaults an eighty year old & dumps her in a Delhi park, you can’t blame the victims or the way they dressed. A placard at Jantar Mantar aptly asked:  why should a woman feel ashamed when it’s the men who have a dirty gaze?