Written after the brutal rape and subsequent death [ now murder] of a women and the beating of her male friend in a minin bus in New Delhi, early January 2013.·
----------------------------------
A brilliant encapsulation of a very pertinent issue by Osborne Serrao. Posting it here so the message proliferates...
As the rest of the world watches News Channels in astonishment, as to how “sexually repressed” India is today, it would seem almost unreal to fathom that it was in fact India who pioneered the use of sexual education through art and literature hundreds of years ago. The Kama Sutra put forth the nature of love, family life and other aspects pertaining to sexual pleasure almost 2000 years ago. It would seem even more ironic, that it was the arrival of the British that had the largest influence on India’s attitude towards sex. “Victorian values” stigmatized Indian sexual liberalism. Hinduisms liberal attitudes were condemned as “barbaric” and a vindication of sorts that India was "backward". Upto 50 years ago, when peoples of the “Free World” were discovering the ancient culture of sexual liberalism in India as a source of inspiration for free love movements in the West, India itself had turned back the clock, clinging on to Victorian sensibilities that were abandoned decades ago in their country of origin.
Add to this, the umpteen invasions of northern India by everyone from the Turks, the Mongols, the Afghans,etc. that had necessitated a situation where women had to be hidden and protected from these tormentors who after defeating the local armies raped the women at will. Though this protection was required in those adverse times, it didn't cease when the invasions stopped, it just got worse....
We've been running in the wrong direction for at least a couple of centuries, and it's getting grimmer. Khaps, other political/religious ignoramuses and other "guardians of our morality" and their ilk are making statements which seem almost Talibanesque. It is no secret too, that they are only saying what a large part of our population identifies and agrees with. So, yes, the situation is extremely complex.
Just some of my thoughts:
1] Men - there is no difference between "expecting" and "accepting" dowry. If you were "gifted" a whole lot of stuff at your wedding by the brides father, depending on your "education" and "earning capacity", you have been "bought" and you are no different from a goat sold at the local flea market.
2] Sons - Oedipus Complex ends at 6, not 46. Untie your mothers' apron strings at least once you get married. From then on, the wife comes first. If you can't handle that, stay single.
3] Mothers - Don't complain about women being mistreated if you yourself worship the ground your sons walk on, while letting your daughters play second fiddle. What goes around, comes around.
4] Sex determination for aborting female fetuses is tantamount to cold blooded murder. If you are incapable of saving lives, don't you dare take them away.
5] Judges - The impotent courts you run are a farce. Clear your backlog of a 50 years and impose tracking of sex offenders instead of granting them parole
6] Parents - If your kids have a pulse, they will also be attracted to the opposite sex at some stage of their lives. It's not the end of the world. Teach them respect instead of restraint. It's not 300 BC. Wake up.
7] Politicians - Don't even bother. You have no clue.
8] Bollywood - Item numbers are not happening. Its downright degrading to bring this horseshit to society and pretend it's cool.
As the rest of the world watches News Channels in astonishment, as to how “sexually repressed” India is today, it would seem almost unreal to fathom that it was in fact India who pioneered the use of sexual education through art and literature hundreds of years ago. The Kama Sutra put forth the nature of love, family life and other aspects pertaining to sexual pleasure almost 2000 years ago. It would seem even more ironic, that it was the arrival of the British that had the largest influence on India’s attitude towards sex. “Victorian values” stigmatized Indian sexual liberalism. Hinduisms liberal attitudes were condemned as “barbaric” and a vindication of sorts that India was "backward". Upto 50 years ago, when peoples of the “Free World” were discovering the ancient culture of sexual liberalism in India as a source of inspiration for free love movements in the West, India itself had turned back the clock, clinging on to Victorian sensibilities that were abandoned decades ago in their country of origin.
Add to this, the umpteen invasions of northern India by everyone from the Turks, the Mongols, the Afghans,etc. that had necessitated a situation where women had to be hidden and protected from these tormentors who after defeating the local armies raped the women at will. Though this protection was required in those adverse times, it didn't cease when the invasions stopped, it just got worse....
We've been running in the wrong direction for at least a couple of centuries, and it's getting grimmer. Khaps, other political/religious ignoramuses and other "guardians of our morality" and their ilk are making statements which seem almost Talibanesque. It is no secret too, that they are only saying what a large part of our population identifies and agrees with. So, yes, the situation is extremely complex.
Just some of my thoughts:
1] Men - there is no difference between "expecting" and "accepting" dowry. If you were "gifted" a whole lot of stuff at your wedding by the brides father, depending on your "education" and "earning capacity", you have been "bought" and you are no different from a goat sold at the local flea market.
2] Sons - Oedipus Complex ends at 6, not 46. Untie your mothers' apron strings at least once you get married. From then on, the wife comes first. If you can't handle that, stay single.
3] Mothers - Don't complain about women being mistreated if you yourself worship the ground your sons walk on, while letting your daughters play second fiddle. What goes around, comes around.
4] Sex determination for aborting female fetuses is tantamount to cold blooded murder. If you are incapable of saving lives, don't you dare take them away.
5] Judges - The impotent courts you run are a farce. Clear your backlog of a 50 years and impose tracking of sex offenders instead of granting them parole
6] Parents - If your kids have a pulse, they will also be attracted to the opposite sex at some stage of their lives. It's not the end of the world. Teach them respect instead of restraint. It's not 300 BC. Wake up.
7] Politicians - Don't even bother. You have no clue.
8] Bollywood - Item numbers are not happening. Its downright degrading to bring this horseshit to society and pretend it's cool.
