Women’s issues and feminism are universal but does one hegemonic narrative of the Left and Liberal Westerners define all? There needs to be the celebration of diversity and multiple narratives. Bharat is a civilizational state long before most—a continuity of 8,000 years has several perspectives that have been marginalized even in India. Is it ignorance or agenda setting by Western educated elites after Independence? Whatever the reason, this a huge marginaliaation of a feminist civilizational state, where the Pancha Pativratas are celebrated for breaking the rules, the male Gods are known by their spouses, Umapati, Lakshmipati, Sitapati.
Draupadi the first Feminist, Sita the first single mother, Savitri who defeated the Lord of Death by her logic and argument, Saraswati who redefined marriage and child bearing and several more. All this has been ignored or demeaned or cancelled. The Western narratives on women are seen in binaries and in opposition.
Whereas the Bharatiya narratives are not binaries, but one of concentric circles, of balance and harmony with the larger nature and cosmos. Hence the Western binary lens distorts realities in Indian society. Several sociologists believe that the advent of organized religions of uniformity led to the rise of patriarchy.
How can then the same binary lens be used for Bharat? Archaeology and carbon dating have proved our civilization to be older and advanced when the West were still picking stones. Rather we were outward looking and this demolishes the myth of the Aryan invasion theory, constructed on interpretations and conjectures rather than facts. The issue of women’s rights has been a prominent and enduring aspect of political discourse in the Western world over the past century.
As such, duly informed profoundly by our history, where we stand today regarding women’s rights raises critical considerations about progress or regression and the lessons learned. Assessing the contemporary situation necessitates an honest reflection on whether the suitable lessons from history have been absorbed or if there has been a divergence in the wrong direction. These questions should be central to the discourse among intellectuals, historians, and contemporary authors grappling with women’s rights issues. Unfortunately, such clarity and honesty are seldom found, especially within today’s political discourse.
Since Independence, women in India have faced numerous challenges, although positive developments have also occurred. Sadly, such instances of advancement of women’s rights in the last seven decades have been limited. Contrasting this with the last decade of the Indian Republic reveals a remarkable difference.
The period has seen an array of policies and initiatives that empower and educate women, fostering a path toward self-sufficient womanhood. The transformative initiatives of the past decade reflect a positive trajectory, indicating that substantial strides have been made towards addressing and enhancing women’s rights in contemporary India.
Assessing the situation of women in India today involves considering multiple metrics, and one crucial aspect is their ability to choose and pursue diverse fields. Women’s participation in science, technology, the military, business, trade, artistic endeavours, and other domains illustrates the expanding ability of women to choose and excel in various professional spheres. We see several “First Female” landmarks in different organisations, ranging from Jawaharlal Nehru University getting the first female Vice- Chancellor to India getting the first female Defence, Finance and Foreign Ministers.
These are no ordinary examples, but are representative of women’s increased participation in the workplace. And for the first time, one sees women participating increasingly as managers and leaders. It’s also essential to recognise that the trajectory of women’s rights today, encapsulated under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion call of “women-led development”, is distinct from the radical feminist movements in the West.
Unlike approaches in postcolonial societies that insist on dividing genders, today’s empowerment philosophy in India focuses on embracing and fostering inclusivity and acceptance. The emphasis is not on empowering and supporting one gender at the expense of another, but on creating an ecosystem where all can coexist and function harmoniously. The government explicitly acknowledges and draws attention to India’s civilisational heritage, rooted in thousands of years of learning, which views women as janinis (creators).
Yet, what remains concerning is that despite efforts to create an inclusive ecosystem for women’s empowerment, there are still instances where a regressive mentality seeks to suppress women and promote divisive identity politics. Interestingly, support for such anti women agendas often masquerades as “liberal woke” ideas. Internationally, there are instances like the support within the Western universities for Hamas and its atrocities.
The 7 October attacks, regardless of the complex Israel-Palestine conflict, should have prompted unanimous condemnation for the blatant disregard and violation of women’s rights and honour. But weirdly enough, all those who portray themselves as a beacon of truth and social justice warriors are nowhere to be found. Instead, they stand on the side of Hamas. Back home, the recent situation in Sandeshkhali (West Bengal), where allegations of sexual atrocities on women and land grabbing by local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders have emerged, is deeply concerning.
The ongoing violence and lack of remedial measures go beyond issues of law and order; they speak to the erosion of the social contract between the state government and the public. The state government, entrusted with ensuring safety and prosperity, appears to have become an exploiter. Despite revelations, primarily led by brave women protestors risking their lives, there has been a notable lack of action. The police, instead of apprehending the perpetrators, are obstructing independent fact-finding missions from entering the area.
The silence of the Wokes adds to the politicization of identities like caste, gender and faith. This weakens the cause and its solutions on social and political justice. It raises questions about how a party led by a woman could be so insensitive to sexual exploitation and go to great lengths to cover up these atrocities. Such actions are neither indicative of good leadership nor good politics. While political debates and discourses are inherent in democracy, the moral compass should never be allowed to go astray.
Issues related to women cannot be misused for political gains. Women, as the sacred thread of origin, deserve honourable existence, and playing politics with their honour and lives in the balance is morally reprehensible. As a society, we have witnessed the dark ages of foreign Muslim invaders, and it seems we are not learning the proper lessons from history. Sacrificing respect and societal values that historically placed women at the centre of political ploys and cheap tricks to secure votes is a disheartening trend.
The respect for women, their bodies, and their choices should not be subjects for debates or political manoeuvring; instead, they are fundamental cornerstones of a vibrant and prosperous society and nation. As we commemorate International Women’s Day this year, we should reflect our on civilization and the many brave women. By prioritising the dignity of women, we must actively work towards creating an ecosystem where women are leading the way towards progress and prosperity to Viksit Bharat in 2047 with Nari Shakti.
Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit is the Vice Chancellor of JNU.