Priorities That Matter

[Guest guest]

In this editorial, Nabanita Sircar, London columnist for the

Hindustan Times, wonders why so many Hindus cry out against Tina

Turner playing Kali as an affront to Devi -- but are silent about

violence against ordinary women as an affront to Devi:

 

London, March 9, 2004 - This week I was rather saddened, foremost as

an Indian, to learn that each year 15,000 women are victims of dowry

deaths in India. Just days before the International Women's Day, The

Amnesty International report came as a heartwrencher. It makes me

proud that India is predicted to be an economic power within the

next decade, but what does this advancement mean if such social

atrocities continue?

 

Even Pakistan seems to be better off, where, according to Amnesty

figures, 1000 women die every year in honour killings. Comparison is

not the issue. Even a single such brutal killing is a death. Yet,

instead of raising a voice or making public statements against such

serious crimes we have certain Indians in the UK protesting against

singer Tina Turner playing the role of Shakti in an Ismail Merchant

film.

 

Tina Turner, the rock star, has enraged Hindus in Britain by

agreeing to play an Indian goddess in a new British film production.

When I reported the news of Turner's role some weeks ago I was half

expecting such furore, and that is exactly what is happening.

 

The "What's Love Got To Do With It" singer, who has already toured

India for the film, "The Goddess", by Merchant and James Ivory, had

a peaceful visit there, but in Britain Hindu organisations are

threatening to picket cinema halls that screen the film. Their

complaint is that Turner's sexually charged stage image makes her

unfit for the role. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad UK and Britain-based

Hindu Human Rights are determined to protest against casting Turner.

 

I am a democratic-minded person and have no objections to people

having their opinions and likes and dislikes. Like me, I think many

would be heartened if such groups raised their voices against

serious issues like dowry deaths and such social evils. What bothers

me is that Tina Turner's "sex icon" image, although she has been a

practicing Buddhist for several years, has touched a raw nerve in

some people, but women being brutalised, has not.

 

In Hinduism, Shakti is a female power of divinity, strength and

energy and she is worshipped by millions and a "misappropriate"

screen portrayal of her cannot be tolerated by some of her

worshippers. May be they should try to please Durga, Parvati, Kali

or Lakshmi by beginning a concerted effort to campaign against

dreadful social injustices that Indian women are still suffering.

 

Also without sounding sexist, I must add here that the Amnesty

report praises the effort of Indian women working to mediate and

prevent such crimes. Where are the men? How often does one hear of

men forming organisations to fight such atrocities against women? A

penny for your thoughts!

 

Source: Hindustan Times, "Basere se Dur: Priorities that matter," by

Nabanita Sircar

URL: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5983_605036,004300140008.htm

[Guest guest]

Devi Bhakta,

 

Thank you for this, I agree wholeheartedly! I wonder

if there is any way we can get involved in raising

awareness about violence against hindu women? I think

most on this list are in agreement that change is

needed, but how do we get the message out to those who

are a) unaware that there is a problem, b) involved

in, or part of the problem, and c)victims of the

problem. Let's throw some ideas out there!

 

As a victim of domestic violence who rose from the

ashes and came back blazing, I think Tina Turner is

going to make a fantastic Kali! Maybe her stage

persona is not for some hindus, but her real life

story should be an inspiration to all.

 

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

 

Brianna

 

 

 

--- Devi Bhakta <devi_bhakta wrote:

> In this editorial, Nabanita Sircar, London columnist

> for the

> Hindustan Times, wonders why so many Hindus cry out

> against Tina

> Turner playing Kali as an affront to Devi -- but are

> silent about

> violence against ordinary women as an affront to

> Devi:

>

> London, March 9, 2004 - This week I was rather

> saddened, foremost as

> an Indian, to learn that each year 15,000 women are

> victims of dowry

> deaths in India. Just days before the International

> Women's Day, The

> Amnesty International report came as a

> heartwrencher. It makes me

> proud that India is predicted to be an economic

> power within the

> next decade, but what does this advancement mean if

> such social

> atrocities continue?

>

> Even Pakistan seems to be better off, where,

> according to Amnesty

> figures, 1000 women die every year in honour

> killings. Comparison is

> not the issue. Even a single such brutal killing is

> a death. Yet,

> instead of raising a voice or making public

> statements against such

> serious crimes we have certain Indians in the UK

> protesting against

> singer Tina Turner playing the role of Shakti in an

> Ismail Merchant

> film.

>

> Tina Turner, the rock star, has enraged Hindus in

> Britain by

> agreeing to play an Indian goddess in a new British

> film production.

> When I reported the news of Turner's role some weeks

> ago I was half

> expecting such furore, and that is exactly what is

> happening.

>

> The "What's Love Got To Do With It" singer, who has

> already toured

> India for the film, "The Goddess", by Merchant and

> James Ivory, had

> a peaceful visit there, but in Britain Hindu

> organisations are

> threatening to picket cinema halls that screen the

> film. Their

> complaint is that Turner's sexually charged stage

> image makes her

> unfit for the role. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad UK and

> Britain-based

> Hindu Human Rights are determined to protest against

> casting Turner.

>

> I am a democratic-minded person and have no

> objections to people

> having their opinions and likes and dislikes. Like

> me, I think many

> would be heartened if such groups raised their

> voices against

> serious issues like dowry deaths and such social

> evils. What bothers

> me is that Tina Turner's "sex icon" image, although

> she has been a

> practicing Buddhist for several years, has touched a

> raw nerve in

> some people, but women being brutalised, has not.

>

> In Hinduism, Shakti is a female power of divinity,

> strength and

> energy and she is worshipped by millions and a

> "misappropriate"

> screen portrayal of her cannot be tolerated by some

> of her

> worshippers. May be they should try to please Durga,

> Parvati, Kali

> or Lakshmi by beginning a concerted effort to

> campaign against

> dreadful social injustices that Indian women are

> still suffering.

>

> Also without sounding sexist, I must add here that

> the Amnesty

> report praises the effort of Indian women working to

> mediate and

> prevent such crimes. Where are the men? How often

> does one hear of

> men forming organisations to fight such atrocities

> against women? A

> penny for your thoughts!

>

> Source: Hindustan Times, "Basere se Dur: Priorities

> that matter," by

> Nabanita Sircar

> URL:

>

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5983_605036,004300140008.htm

>

>

>

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

"Where are the men? How often does one hear of men forming

organisations to fight such atrocities against women? A penny for

your thoughts!"

 

Thank you Devi Bhakta for this! Well there are men out there, men who

are concern about violence against women, but it take a courage to

speak against another. To talk about it is the most easiest part, to

actually do something about it is another. Actions speaks louder than

words.

 

I am please to introduce the : Man's Action Network against Violence

[ MAN-V]. And this is what they have to say:

 

"we are a group of Men concerned over recruiting violence against

women and children. We were set up in partnerhip with AWAM [All

Women's Action Society]. Our Aim is to construct an egalitarian

behavioural pattern where men, women and children value and respect

each other's humanity, treating each other as equal human beings free

from all forms of violence and discrimination. Our actions among

others is to put together a workshop module and conduct it with

various groups of people to create awareness of an commitment to our

aim. Our Action Network hopes to cut across the political, social,

economic, religious and ethnic spectrum of our society."

 

In December 7th 2003, The MAN-V launched the WHITE RIBBON CAMPAIGN.

This Campaign represents the men's initiative as a visible group to

address vilolence against women.

 

The Primary objectives of the campaign are :

1. To get men to put an end to men's violence against women.

 

2. To break the silence of men. For too long the voices of men have

been silent. Men must now collectively speak out against violence

against women. Men must pledge not to be part of that violence as

well as do everything within their means to put and end to such

violence

 

3. To challenge and encourage other men and boys to do likewise.

 

Men have been a part of the problem for too long. The WHITE RIBBON

CAMPAIGN believes that men can and must be part of the solution.

Confronting men's violence requires nothing less than a commitment to

full equality for women and a redefinition of what it means to be a

man, to discover a new meaning to manhood.

 

Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge not to commit violence

against women. It is a personal pledge not to condone acts of

violence, not to make excuses for the perpetrators of violence, and

not to think that any woman "ask for it".

 

It is a pledge not to be silent. It is a pledge to challenge the men

around us to act to end violence. Wearing the white ribbon provokes

discussings, debate, and soul-searching among the men around us. The

White Ribbon is a catalyst for change.

 

For more information on this, please visit their website

 

http://www.manv.org