In today’s colossally advancing times, ‘teen talaq’ and ‘the atrocities on Muslim women’ have been condemned by the strongest of voices in the country. Calling triple talaq as one of the most absurd practices and accusing Muslim Personal Law; from Prime Minister to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, everyone seems to have sympathized with these women. Undoubtedly, the society and the ruling party is too keen on fighting for the rights of women and the atrocities on them. But is it the only brimming issue of women that needs to be addressed? Obviously not!
Yes, triple talaq has been misused among Muslim men and undeniably made many women suffer. A lot has been written and talked about them. From as ignorantly divorcing through whatsapp message to simply uttering ‘talaq’ thrice, it has indisputably done a lot of harm to the women folks who have been abiding by these cultural norms.
Still from the movie 'Water'
But not just it, there are other equally fretting issues in the Indian society as a whole that need to be brought up and discussed. Nearly 12 million Indian children are married before the age of 10 years, 84 percent of them being Hindu (7.84 million being females). While there are 90 million Muslim women in India of which less than 2 lakhs are subjected to triple talaq. Now, where and what about the other women who are subjected to different sorts of subjugation? The national television channels every other day sit to discuss Triple Talaq and NOT child marriages, dowry deaths, women trafficking, child trafficking, female foeticide etc. Not even the 'widows of Vrindavan' which should be a major concern of the 'advancing nation' as a whole. Vrindavan, which is the silent bawling hub for the hapless Hindu widows who have been ousted by their own people even their families. India, where women are worshiped in the form of Kaali, Durga and Laxmi and where a mother is attributed and glorified in different phizes of Devi (Goddess) has this side too, where the scourging women aren’t vocal about the abomination being carried out on them. Sadly, these helpless women, inflicted with pain aren’t the topic of discussion in the mainstream media, society or the government.
Not long ago, film maker Deepa Mehta with all her sincerity had tried to bring this truth in front of the world through her controversial and much criticized movie ‘Water’. Set in 1938, the movie had dealt with the contentious topic of widows. Facing harsh opprobrium by certain fundamentalists, the shooting had to be stopped in Banaras.
The point is that the selective targeting on the basis of beliefs and discussing issues related to them by the media and the government makes you believe that only a particular set of belief system subjugates women whilst the fact is, the Indian society as a whole, the Brahminical samaj under the pretext of Hinduism as well as Quranic misinterpretation under Islamic belief, both need to be addressed.
Factually, a section of the society doesn’t even want to acquiesce of having a general discussion on the topic of such widows and divorcees lest the world would know their dark sides.
The widows, who fall in the Hindu society’s crowned echelon, the Brahmins are young girls, who as per the norm, aren't allowed to re-marry; hence facing ‘Niyog’. Niyog, is a living hell for them. If the widows deny going through Niyog, they are ousted to the hermitages and dharmshalas. Niyog is the act where a childless widow is asked to establish physical relations with a ‘revered’ man of her bereaved husband, until she mothers 3 children from him. Discernibly, a woman of character disapproves of doing such a ridiculous thing.
The widows, who fall in the Hindu society’s crowned echelon, the Brahmins are young girls, who as per the norm, aren't allowed to re-marry; hence facing ‘Niyog’. Niyog, is a living hell for them. If the widows deny going through Niyog, they are ousted to the hermitages and dharmshalas. Niyog is the act where a childless widow is asked to establish physical relations with a ‘revered’ man of her bereaved husband, until she mothers 3 children from him. Discernibly, a woman of character disapproves of doing such a ridiculous thing.
There was a time when ‘Sati’ was practiced brazenly in our society. In Sati, the widow had no right to live after her husband’s demise and per the rituals, she was burnt alive along with her deceased husband’s crematory.
Obliged to Queen Victoria, this practice came to an end after a sturdy law was passed against it in 1829 viewing it as a criminal offence of murderous charges. Nepal practiced this until 1920.
With 6,000 widows in Vrindavan alone, the hermitages in the country are abode to these women for the rest of their lives. Most of these hermitages don’t have proper arrangements and can’t even provide them food and so, they are forced to beg. People associated with these hermitages often force such young widows into prostitution. They are forced to spend nights at the residences of the rich in the city. As per the recorder of events, helpless, disabled, poor and extremely weak women trying to ‘survive’ in the inhumane condition brings tears to one’s eyes.These women sing devotional songs for the visitors, in lieu of which are granted a handful of rice, which is evidently not enough, at all! Most of these devotional bhajan singers are from West Bengal and Bihar. Proving how dense and deep the situation is in these areas.
Still from the movie 'Water'
During the reign of the Communist government, there was an initiative taken to send these widows back to their respective homes. But the woebegone widows denied claiming they didn’t want to go back to their initial residences where their near and dear ones lived. Relatives, who had pushed and dragged them to this feeble situation. Betrayed by their own people, women are in a deplorable state in these hermitages. These women are mute and not willing to speak, fearing their ouster from these hermitages and their uncertain future!
Question is, if triple talaq is something which the government is too serious and momentous about, then why is it that the same government is ignoring the aged practice of ousting widows from their homes and not purging these women of the foisted beliefs and the monstrosity on them? Why can’t the government hear their silent cries? Is it because they belong to the upper caste of the Hindu majority, the Brahmins, who consider this a propitious act and they aren’t from the minority community who can be selectively targeted? The issue is that women in general are subjugated under these baseless practices. Be it ‘instant tripletalaq’ or ‘widows of Vrindavan’, both are equally deplorable and both need the government’s attention and assiduous at the earliest.
Also, by what standard is the media and people showing their concern for the welfare of Muslim women when they have no interest in the welfare of women who are not Muslim and are not ready to discuss issues involving them? Do they not need reforms and law/implementation of law effectively? Women and all women are at the receiving end of regressive patriarchal systems and there must be concern for all women. It is just the same for all.
Also, by what standard is the media and people showing their concern for the welfare of Muslim women when they have no interest in the welfare of women who are not Muslim and are not ready to discuss issues involving them? Do they not need reforms and law/implementation of law effectively? Women and all women are at the receiving end of regressive patriarchal systems and there must be concern for all women. It is just the same for all.
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