Amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharing his enriching thoughts on women empowerment at National Women Legislators Conference saying that “a nation is always empowered by its women”, a young girl from a small block in tribal Jashpur district has written an open letter and tweeted to Modi demanding to ban using the phrase “Chudi pehn ke ghar pe baitho” at all platforms of protests and restore respect of womanhood.
Giving flare to the issue again and calling it derogatory statement for using bangles as sign of impotence, Soumya Garg, 24, from Kansabel block of Jashpur district, had hit national headlines earlier when she moved to Chhattisgarh high court, appealed at supreme court and had also lodged complaint against Lalu Prasad Yadav for his similar remarks.
Echoing Narendra Modi’s radio programme jingle “Mann ki bat”, Soumya headlined the letter asking “Mann ki bat, mai kissey karu?”
“If you can’t do anything, wear bangles (like women) and sit at home (like women), this remark is commonly used to derogate someone in our country who failed to perform, mainly against males describing them weak and incapable (like women). It’s an insult to womanhood, why is wearing bangles used as a gesture to shamefulness and weakness? Either you prove my stand wrong that it isn’t an insult to women or find a solution for restoration of respect to women,” she wrote in the letter.
Else, she added that Modi’s much hyped “Bati Bachao, Beti Padao”, “Selfie with Daughter” campaigns and several schemes for women would have no value and would be considered just a show-off unless women are really respected.
“I hope you would consider giving a thought on it on International Women’s Day,” Soumya said addressing to Modi.
Soumya had raised a petition in 2013 in Bilaspur high court against the usage of ‘chudi pehen ke ghar mai baitho’, when she was told that though her point was valid, but she should initiate to spread awareness on the issue and report the matter to nearest police station in case of any such incident.
Even when Supreme Court stood by HC’s verdict, Soumya in April 2015 had lodged complaint at Kansabel police station against Lalu Prasad Yadav, former chief minister Bihar, for his remarks against member of Parliament Giriraj Singh saying, “he (Giriraj) should wear bangles, vermilion, bindi and his face should be blackened as he had crossed all borders of decency.” Lalu had reacted over Griraj’s comments against Sonia Gandhi at a press conference in Bihar.
“But again I was told I should approach the court as police can’t intervene in this issue. Now, I am confused whom should I approach? HC says goto police, and police says vice-versa. Though I contacted Delhi commission for women’s rights which recommended Patna police to lodge an FIR and closed the file, but there was no case lodged,” Soumya said.
I am left with no other option than to write to Prime Minister, she said.
