Songsoptok
INTERVIEW
Feminism & The Cult of Silence
SONGSOPTOK: Do you think that there is a ‘cult of
silence’ in the country and the society you live in, especially for issues
involving women’s position in society and their rights? If yes, then what are
the specific issues? Is it harmful? In what way?
SOMESLAL: No, I don’t find
any ‘cult of silence’! There are people who keep their mouths shut on these
issues of course! Then there are goons under some political umbrage or other
who terrorize people to silence when they themselves violate these rights! But
you can hear voices of protest every now and then!
SONGSOPTOK: In case you think that there is no such
cult, can you please explain why you think so? With some examples, if possible
SOMESLAL: I think I have explained my view already.
SONGSOPTOK: Do you think that there has always been a
cult of silence in human societies regarding certain issues? If yes, then for
what reasons? Do you think that it is actually a good thing to perpetuate such
a practice? Please tell us know why.
SOMESLAL: Again history may
have seen such “cults of silence” from time to time! I think the major reason
for such “silence” is fear in some form or other!
Well, there may be people who philosophize on
the need for “silence” in situations demanding protest. But I do not agree on
such views. If “no mere action can change the world”, then “mere silence”
cannot either!
SONGSOPTOK: Is there a feminist movement in your
country? If yes, then what are the specific objectives? In your opinion, is it
necessary? If not, then what are the main reasons for its absence?
SOMESLAL: There are groups of
women and men who supposedly preach and practice “feminism” in India! I’m not
very conversant with their specific objectives, leaving out “feminism” itself.
Now I don’t think that “feminism” can give us
a solution to women’s travails, since the very idea of the “ism” is divisive
and hence likely to create further divisions within society. (Well it may take
dozens of A4-size papers for me to elaborate my idea! What is needed is a
compassionate view that does not distinguish between men and women in terms of
capabilities, intelligence and so on, and which takes a holistic approach to
human lives in general. ) There is the worse problem of “pseudo-feminists” –
persons who use such emancipatory platforms for their own petty career-goals
outwardly and continue privately their wife-beatings and daughter-in-law
beatings! Haven’t we seen official protectors of children engaged clandestinely
in child-trafficking? There exists yet another brand of pseudo-feminists who
would even prescribe violence to men as the main path to liberation of women!
SONGSOPTOK: What, in your opinion, is the position of
women in the country you live in? Do they have equal rights in every domain as
men? If not, then which are the main areas where they receive unequal
treatment?
SOMESLAL: In India,
officially the women are not discriminated adversely against men. But, as it
happens, reality often skirts or straightaway violates official rules. It is
also difficult to enforce such non-discriminatory rules in the multicultural context
of India. For people from all cultures
do not have the same kinds of views regarding women. Thus enforcing
non-discriminatory rules in favour of women, let alone educating the Indian
masses to at least regard the women with friendliness and sympathy remains an
uphill task in the Indian context. Enforcing rules to change, and educate
people on, the often anti-women matrimonial practices is equally difficult.
Thus, even though women are increasingly taking important positions in Indian
society, we still witness gruesome events of torture, rape, dowry-deaths,
female foeticides and so on. Even giving proper education to women remains
difficult to this day.
SONGSOPTOK: A ‘glass ceiling’ is a metaphor used to represent
an invisible barrier that keeps women from rising beyond a certain level in a
hierarchy. Do you believe in this concept? What is your personal experience in
your personal and professional life? In the country you live in are there glass
ceilings in different professions?
SOMESLAL: As I’ve already
mentioned, even if the glass-ceilings are officially removed, one may still
face the specters of such ceilings in reality.
SONGSOPTOK: What is your opinion about the feminist
movement? Do you think it is necessary, both at a global and a more local
level? Why? In this context, what do you think are the major achievements of
the Feminist movement, if any?
SOMESLAL: To these questions I’ve already answered
above.
SONGSOPTOK: A recent study (conducted by
HuffPost/YouGov) concluded that only 20% of Americans identify as feminists,
even though a whopping 82% believe that "men and women should be social,
political, and economic equals.” Do you find this contradictory, and if so, why?
What, according to you, would be the result of a similar study in the country
you live in? For what reasons?
SOMESLAL: Again, the reasons
for such apparent contradictions are also given by me above. I should expect
similar results in India too! For the same reasons! To state the point in a
nub, a holistic humanism based on empathy and understanding should be the
approach, rather than a divisive, and hence destructive, “feminism”.
SONGSOPTOK: One of the main areas of the feminist
movement is sexual objectification of women almost all across the globe,
especially on media. What is the reality in the country you live in and / or
your country of origin? What is your opinion about this? Do you think that
there is a cult of silence around this issue?
SOMESLAL: Again the entire
problem arises from a culture that is divisive, neurotic, sexist and
consumerist. No country is free from the fell clutch of this destructive
culture which we celebrate as something good.
I’ve already given my views about the
“silence”.
SOMESLAL: This question also has already been
answered above.
SOMESLAL
MUKHOPADHYAY: Well I would very much like to quote a few lines from Eliot to
describe myself.
" ... no
doubt, an easy tool
...
Politic, cautious,
and meticulous;
...
At times, indeed,
almost ridiculous -
Almost, at times,
the Fool."
We sincerely thank you
for your time and hope to have your continued support.
Aparajita
Sen
(EDITOR)
Songsoptok
0 Comments
