Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
The Supreme Court's recent judgement on the Hadiya case 'allowed' her back to college. However, aspects of the judgement as well as the way it is reported, are unsettling.
The Supreme Court’s recent judgement on the Hadiya case ‘allowed’ her back to college. However, aspects of the judgement as well as the way it is reported, are unsettling.
Following the recent Supreme Court judgement on the Hadiya case, here are a few questions that need to be raised, both about the judgement, and about the way the case has been reported in the media.
Can alleged indoctrination be sufficient cause to suspend individual liberties? The hinting of such a caveat is itself dangerous. Further, if that were to be an interpretation of the law (which one, though?), then almost every citizen is under the scanner since ‘indoctrination’ is all around us, perhaps under more acceptable terms such as lobbying and propaganda.
If wife is not ‘chattel’, as the honourable judge admonished Hadiya, is an adult daughter one? Moreover, did Hadiya’s desire to be united with her wedded husband deserve such a response where her clearly stated desire was not taken seriously by most?
It is perplexing why she continues to be referred to in many media reports as ‘Akhila alias Hadiya’, as if her self identity, repeatedly asserted by her, is open to public opinion, not least parental and court approval.
What is this business of being ‘allowed’ to return to college to complete her studies/internship? If that is what it is, then it is an admission of her confinement, and the injustice she’s had to endure. Why is our reporting language unable to grasp the appropriate verb, which ought to be that she is free to return to her chosen life? She needn’t be allowed by anyone.
It is worrisome that Hadiya’s freedom has been hedged on the completion of studies to become a doctor. What if the circumstances were different and she had already finished her studies? Would that have taken away the reason to protect her freedom and rights?
Why is the mention of Shafin as her husband qualified by quotation marks and the word ‘alleged’. Their marriage may have been anulled, but not because either consenting party wished it to be nor did they break any law by getting married.
Hadiya’s faith, grace, poise, courage, strength and determination are all qualities that more young women should learn from. And the terrible injustice she has faced so far must be seen as a warning sign to every young woman’s autonomy in the country.
The weight of the system, complete with patriarchy, Islamophobia, gender discrimination, majoritarianism, judicial discrimination and unjust confinement, has been used to shut her down.
She refused to allow it.
Guest Bloggers are those who want to share their ideas/experiences, but do not have a profile here. Write to us at [email protected] if you have a special situation (for e.g. want read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
UP Boards Topper Prachi Nigam was trolled on social media for her facial hair; our obsession with appearance is harsh on young minds.
Prachi Nigam’s photo has been doing the rounds on social media for the right reasons. Well, scratch that- I wish the above statement were true. This 15-year-old girl should ideally be revelling in her spectacular achievement of scoring a whopping 98.05% and topping her tenth-grade boards. But oddly enough, along with her marks, it’s something else that garners more attention – her facial hair.
While the trolls are driving themselves giddy by mocking this girl who hasn’t even completed her school yet, the ones who are taking her side are going one step ahead – they are sharing her photoshopped pictures, sans the facial hair, looking nothing less than a celebrity with captions saying – “Prachi Nigam, ten years later”.
Doctors have already diagnosed her with PCOD in their comments, based on photographic evidence. While we have names for people shamed for their weight – body shaming, for their skin colour- racism, for their age- age shaming, for being a female- sexism, this category of shaming where one faces criticism for their appearance has no name. With that, it also has zero shame attached to it.
Please enter your email address