Mood:
irritatedNow Playing: the Sri Ram Sena (Army of Lord Ram) group attacked women in Magalore in Southern India
Topic: HUMANITY
Say PANTS to Patriarchy!
http://www.dollymix.tv/2009/02/there_are_few_things_that.html
There are few things that I like better in life than going to the pub with my friends and drinking whiskey whilst putting the world to rights. Indeed, I think the right to go to the pub is one of those things which should be enshrined in every country's constitution.
It appears I'm not alone in this either. In one of those news stories which makes me proud to be a woman, Indians are sending packages of pink underwear to a right wing group who believe that it is "not acceptable" for women to go drinking in bars.
Last month, the Sri Ram Sena (Army of Lord Ram) group attacked women in Magalore in Southern India who they saw out drinking, and who they deemed to be acting disgracefully. The attack was filmed, was filmed and then broadcast on national television, showing men chasing and beating up panicking women. Some of the women, who tripped and fell, were kicked viciously by the men. Because, you know, beating the living shit out a woman daring to express her individuality by living her life the way she chooses to is a really good way to win people over to your cause.
The group are also planning to protest against Valentines Day this Saturday, believing that a harmless commercial celebration of hearts and flowers will slowly erode away moral dignity and the fabric of society.
Indian women, however, are fighting back. Last Thursday, The Consortium of Pub-going, Loose and Forward Women was formed on Facebook, which encourages women to to "walk to your nearest pub and buy a drink" this Valentines Day. Their blog is also encouraging people across the globe to send the Sri Ram Sena pairs of knickers. Pink knickers to be exact. The pinker, cheaper and dirtier the better.
Why knickers instead of...say...dog turds? Because in India chaddis is a colloquial term for underwear. And it alludes to a prominent Hindu right-wing group whose khaki-shorts-wearing cadres were often derisively called "chaddi wallahs" (chaddi wearers).
Why should I waste a perfectly good pair of Primark knickers on those close minded twats? you ask? Well, because it draws attention to the fact that in a part of the world where women have enough curbs on their lives as it is, they are choosing to fight back against a set of social constructs trying (once again) to put them in their place.
So, if you happen to be a woman in India on Valentines Day, be sure to buy yourself a pint. Or, indeed whatever tipple takes your fancy (mine's a Jamieson's, straight with ice if you're buying). Or, if you just wish to find out more about the campaign, direct your brower to the Consortium's blog, at thepinkchaddicampaign.blogspot.com
