Pics: Anush Pandith

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Feb 26: "When you love your nation extremely, want gender and social equality, you may be called as an anti-national by certain forces. If you are a believer of true democracy and secularism they will put an anti-national stamp on you. That is because they cannot accept a different ideology that is against the hierarchy and communal-based nationalism. So be happy if someone calls you anti-national because they have noted your sincere dedication towards a better nation," Said Prof Nivedita Menon, professor of political thoughts, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Delhi.

She was speaking at the annual lecture event, organized by P P Gomathi Memorial Education Trust at St Aloysius college on Monday, February 26.

Speaking on the subject 'Feminist Politics in India: Some Key Issues', she said, "Feminism movement in India has its own identity and a very long history. As we all know that it is not easy to raise a feminist voice in the Indian society. The religious, cast and social patriarchy has always stood like a rock in front of feminists. But India has its own feminist movement and it did not come from western countries. Feminism is neither a war against men nor it can be classified as women vs men. It is women vs patriarchy,"

"In such incidents and rituals, feminists showed their strong opposition and succeeded to save women from the physical and mental pain. But they still did not achieve their goal of gender equality,"

"In case of 'Triple Talaq', Muslim women got relief from religious patriarchy. After the court issued the order stating that 'Triple Talaq' is not valid, one group of women within the Muslim community welcomed it wholeheartedly. However, another group opposed it. But here 'Triple Talaq' is not the issue. The issue is the point of view of Muslim men and religious leaders on the woman, who married a man. In 'Triple Talaq' she becomes a stranger to her husband within a minute. She is kept away from all rights for which she is eligible. At the same time, her protection also becomes a question mark,"

"In India, we have many religions and every religion changes its character slightly when it comes to a particular region. So the laws based on religion have many differences within a particular religion itself. If we connect this to uniform civil code, which is a most discussable issue, we cannot succeed in bringing gender equality. For example, we have different marriage laws for different religions. But when we try to bring a uniform law, it will harm our democratic culture and the thought of unity in diversity. The uniform civil code is an old demand. But its approval by the present central government, which is arguing for a single community nationalism, we cannot expect the gender equality. As we all know, our nation is now ruled by a party which is highly influenced by Hindu patriarchy. So feminists always want a clear-cut gender equality in society, religion and daily life, without the interference of any political ideology or influence of patriarchy,"

"I congratulate the college management for conducting these type of programmes, which helps in creating a questioning generation and critic mentality in students. Because of questioning and criticism, they can get an idea of what is wrong and what is right. At last, it will help them to choose right things, which in turn will help national integrity and social equality."

Prof Nivedita was felicitated by Fr Praveen Martis, principal of the college. Dr Kesavan Veluthat, renowned historian and former professor of Delhi University, introduced Prof Nivedita to the gathering. K P Vasudeva Rao, trustee, P P Gomathi memorial education trust, welcomed the dignitaries and gathering. Gopala Krishna Shetty, secretary, rendered the vote of thanks.