Ghazanfar Abbas, IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, March 07: In a first, thousands of women from across the nation will come together to demonstrate their strength against Manuvad, Brahmanvad and Hindutva at Nagpur, the bastion of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on 10th March.
“Women are marginalized due to patriarchal mindset based on orthodox and superstitious beliefs rooted in Manuvad and patriarchy that restrict them to exercise their freedom. We are coming together to assert our voices for our rights and the protections guaranteed to us by the constitution,” woman activist Vani Subramanian said while addressing a press conference here on Tuesday.
A nationwide call – “Chalo Nagpur” (March to Nagpur) has been given by many women organizations and hundreds of individuals to mark the 120th death anniversary of 19th century’s renowned women rights activist and social reformer, Savitribai Phule.
Vani said: “Since Savitribai Phule is not just a Dalit icon but a very important figure for all women, we have chosen her death anniversary to start this campaign. And we have chosen Nagpur not just because it is the bastion of RSS, but also because it is known as ‘Karmbhumi’ of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar.”
“‘Chalo Nagpur’ focuses on the women who are being marginalized on the basis of their religion, caste, physical identity and regional ethnicity. This event is to raise voices against increasing conservatism, Brahmanism, Hindutva, castiesm and communalism in the country. It is upper caste Hindu idea of India which we are going to challenge,” Vani said while speaking to IndiaTomorrow.net.
Jaya Sharma, writer and woman activist said: Despite many differences, through this program women are going to challenge Manuvad and Hindutva that divide us.”
Speaking to IndiaTomorrow.net, she said: “We have chosen Nagpur as besides RSS all Hindutva right-wing forces are against the interests of women because the culture and tradition they talk about is basically ‘denial of women’.”
“We want to educate the society and the whole country as to how dangerous these forces are for the sustenance of democracy,” she asserted.
Prof. Anita Ghai said: “The existence and role of women in society are being diminished. And if a woman is physically handicapped or impaired, this is double jeopardy for her. We face humiliation every day. We want to make a society that can address these issues. That is what this event is all about.”
Besides others, the press conference was also addressed by human rights activist Shabnam Hashmi and woman activist Mariya Salim.
“This is the first time that thousands of women from various backgrounds are gathering and organizing this program with their own money to fight for their rights,” Shabnam Hashmi told.
