What makes Sakshi Malik a real heroine is that she hails from a cultural background in which a woman has no face, let alone other features, except for the pleasure of the men. She comes from a state in which one out of every three girl children is not even sent to school. She belongs to a culture which values cows more than certain human beings and certainly more than women. The sex ratio in her state is as low as 823 in Panchkula district while the highest is just 927 in Rewari.
Assaults on women and rapes are so common in Sakshi Malik's state that one of its prominent political leaders, Om Prakash Chautala, prescribed child marriage as the solution to contain the spilling Rajput libido. 15 women had been raped in one month when Mr Chautala was forced to find a remedy.
Don't expect justice from the police in that state. Like the pigs and the men at the end of Orwell's Animal Farm, the police and the criminals bear a striking resemblance in that state. "It's better to protect your honour by concealing the crime," the police will counsel you if you are an unfortunate victim. And honour means more than life in Sakshi Malik's state. For the sake of honour, scores of women and some men too have been killed on the orders of Khap elders. "What's done can't be undone," the guardians of law will console you as they lead you out of the police station.
The victim is made to feel like a criminal. That's the topsy-turvy world which Sakshi Malik survived heroically. That's why she is a heroine. She is not just an Olympian wrestler; she is what most women of her society won't ever be: a subverter of a perverted social system.
Assaults on women and rapes are so common in Sakshi Malik's state that one of its prominent political leaders, Om Prakash Chautala, prescribed child marriage as the solution to contain the spilling Rajput libido. 15 women had been raped in one month when Mr Chautala was forced to find a remedy.
Don't expect justice from the police in that state. Like the pigs and the men at the end of Orwell's Animal Farm, the police and the criminals bear a striking resemblance in that state. "It's better to protect your honour by concealing the crime," the police will counsel you if you are an unfortunate victim. And honour means more than life in Sakshi Malik's state. For the sake of honour, scores of women and some men too have been killed on the orders of Khap elders. "What's done can't be undone," the guardians of law will console you as they lead you out of the police station.
The victim is made to feel like a criminal. That's the topsy-turvy world which Sakshi Malik survived heroically. That's why she is a heroine. She is not just an Olympian wrestler; she is what most women of her society won't ever be: a subverter of a perverted social system.
I have seen a video of her family jumping out in joy on seeing her bring a medal back home. Family plays an important role and perhaps surpasses the society in terms of influence.
ReplyDeleteI too watched it. Yes, without the support of the family she would not have achieved it.
DeleteExcellent points Matheikal. I wonder how she managed considering the atmosphere of that state.
ReplyDeleteAn individual or two to support - that makes all the difference.
DeleteShe has won over the evils of this myopic society...this medal will change lives for sure...well done :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, this one medal will change at least some lives in her state and hopefully elsewhere too.
DeleteYes so right , Our society still treats women as secondary to men, The success of skashi might motivate many young girls to take up sports and make our country proud in tokyo olympics.
ReplyDeleteI share your optimism. Every winner is an inspiration. But our netas are the stumbling blocks in the path of people's achievements.
Delete