OBJECTIFICATION OF WOMEN
Modernisation which we all feel proud of, gives us a sense of breaking the barriers and moving forward. But have we actually modernized in true sense?Let’s have a look. We all must have seen the deodrant’s advertisement on television. They usually portray women as nymphomaniac. Serials and movies portraying women as animals like reptiles present them as creatures to be tamed or conquered. Bollywood songs like “jalebi bai” are teaching the kids how to treat a women. Which means women can become a part of any non living entity but not men.
The whole world including our Indian society believe in these magnificant words like evolution, renaissance and westernisation. But in reality this can never be attained unless we stop objectifying our women. The recent case of two variable judgements on marital rape by Delhi High Court again raises the question on our evolution.
We still are considering women as an object to be owned. Resultantly we are afraid in granting her the right over her own body. Past treated women as an item to be sold. Traditional wedding ceremonies like “kanyadan” and “bride price” signifyied the gift of virgin daughter to an unquestioned male. Moreover, once married to a man she had to follow and obey every command of the master who was her own husband. In return the husband protected her from other men. Yeah..a barter system deal! But the loss and compromise was borne by one only side. It was due to this notion that the concept of marital rape was never discussed, neither known in past.
But as the society evolved and rationality penetrated, people learnt and so did women. She slowly understood that patriarchy was not a universal truth. She is eventually learning that she has the full right to ask for what is her own.
But Alas! she is still fighting the society which is living in the fake notion of being modern, secular and open minded. In Rokeya Shekhawat’s novel Sultana’s dream she gave a beautiful picture of a society where women are free to do what they want and men are confined among the four walls. This was to open the eye of women who were unaware of the invisible force holding her back that is, patriarchy.
We need many more Rokeya to boldly talk about the real issues of society. The world should realise that someone’s body is not an object to be used but to be respected. Even if it is a pious bond of marriage, a crime is still a crime. Thorns do not become roses even if they are attached to it. They prick, cause pain and even bleed.
