Once upon a time, there was a place,
where women never laughed aloud.
They always covered their face,
kept their eyes down and heads, bowed.
Of course, the place had many rules,
which made life miserable for women.
It was governed by a set of fools,
doddering youngsters and lewd old men.
Men could rape women at their will,
and swagger around in the village.
Spirited women courted peril.
Their audacity was met with rage.
Often, the men sat down to decide,
leafing through mouldy books of yore,
ways to compel the women to abide
medieval norms rusty to the core.
If a man raped his daughter-in-law,
By a decree, she became his consort.
The wise men did not admit to a flaw.
That was how they set right a tort.
Life went on thus, in this place.
Faith was invoked to support a wrong,
and subvert human values and grace.
Even the intellectuals played along,
Relegating a woman's right to dignity
away from the collective psyche of a nation.
They treated it as a concern of a community,
and not as a case of discrimination.
Until,
One day, the women raised their voice,
Broke the fetters and claimed their right
to have their say and to exercise their choice,
and together they changed their plight.
Once upon a time, there was a place,
where women held their heads high.
Of the bitter past, they allowed no trace.
On each other's strength, they learned to rely.
Author notes
Written July 18th, 2005
What did you think
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
-
Optimistic
Wow. How did you manage with all of those rhymes? A difficult subject even in free style. Good on you, Krishnaa. I also liked how you didn't specify where these atrocities took place, as we know there are many war-ravaged and poverty-stricken countries that suffer from this type of social breakdown. -
I heard the story when I came here and its many versions....whatever it is not many people agree with the ruling. and certainly it does not go with the Quran everyone reads. This is one more time when people twist the interpretions in their own sick way. In my view the father in law should have been punished like any other rapist would have been. Islam is the first religion to empower women and it is an irony the way it is twisted to take away their rights. The so called protectors themselves are often the ones making a mockery of it and the illiterate public go on rampage whenever any change is proposed.
-
OMG, Krishna I didn't realise this is based on true story of the recent times till I read your reply to kyla's critique.... how cruel... some men are sick in their heads...
mina -
I do not know what to say, apart from everyone in the world must be made aware, and must support these women in any way they wish us to support them. In the west it is not right for us to throw up our hands and impose our version of how we think society should be upon people who have different traditions and heritage, and yes faith. What we must do is listen and do what we can to promote human rights.
-
Why is it that the most outrageous acts of humanity are invariably commited with the backing of supposedly religous leaders, who quote from their holy books?
I have nothing against ANY religion as long as it provides comfort and solace for the believer, but when mere humans make themselves authorities on any particular religion and misinterpret or enforce these beliefs on others in such ridiculous ways I find myself shouting, what on earth happened to common sense!
Thank-you for this informative read.
K
-
This poem was inspired by Imrana's story and it happened in modern India. Imrana, a mother of five children was raped by her father-in-law on June 3, 2005. The caste Panchayat passed a sentence that she ceased to be the lawfully wedded wife of her husband. She was ordered to live with her father-in-law. Overnight, her husband turned into her son. The Ulema at Deoband quoted Shariat and termed Imrana's marriage invalid. Imrana, a devout woman, could hardly dare to flout the religious diktat. Thanks to the support of her brothers, Imrana could lodge a complaint against her father-in-law and could get him arrested. The issue brought to focus, the unsavory role played by the so-called community leaders in issues affecting women. While women's organizations are highlighting Imrana's case, the politicians belonging to major parties like the ruling Congress have kept a studied silence on this issue. Even the normally vociferous intellectuals have chosen not to comment. Like you, I am perturbed by the oppression unleashed against women. I am sure Islam does not sanction such discrimination but the so-called interpreters of God twist events and issues to suit their convenience and most of their decisions are against women. As Rehana, founder of a local women's organization points out, " No woman is ever called to either give her side of the picture or to pass judgement on others".
Krishna
Edited on Jul 18, 6:54 because ''. -
Unfortunately that once upon a time is very much now and today in some parts of the world. In villages near me we've had cases of fathers and even brothers murdering young girls because they claim they've dishonoured the family simply by wearing make-up or talking to a young boy. In parts of Africa, it's even worse.
It is enormously difficult for women in these situations to break free alone, woman from all around the world should help.
OUCH!
(my conscience just pricked me!)
Interesting piece... yet again.
Kyla X
Edited on Jul 18, 6:29 because ''.
Adding your comment:
1 - 7 of 7
2 old applause
