Writer flays Prasad for remarks on women

Writer Bhanu Mustaq, on Saturday, shot back at Revenue and District in-charge Minister V Srinivas Prasad for asking women indulging in various crimes to retrospect, in the interest of the society.

Participating in the convention organised by Odanadi Seva Samsthe, an NGO, to honour women achievers, at the ground opposite Maharaja’s College, here, Bhanu took exception to the statement of Prasad blaming the role of women indulged in different crimes like dowry harassment, female infanticide and domestic harassment.

Bhanu, during her address, told the minister that it is men who have to undergo introspection rather than women, as some among the women who are considered as slaves in the patriarchal society obviously ill-treat other women.

The women have been emulating men for the fear of circumstances that may arise in the future. The women follow in the footsteps of men practicing the values and orders passed on to them. It is only if there is a change in the mindset of the people, especially the societal system, women may change. It can be a reality only if there is equality.

Taking exception to the recent statement of an elected representative in Goa, who passed on a derogatory remark on the complexion of women on protest, Bhanu questioned the right to comment on women. The elected representatives are forgetting their actual duties. They have no right to comment on the women’s dress and conduct.

However, Bhanu welcomed the recent move to appoint at least one women among five directors on the board of companies. But, the women are not given their due status on the political front.

Earlier, Women Achievers Rally (WAR) was taken out from different parts of the city to portray the effective participation of women in men’s domain. A group of women bikers stole the show through a rally starting from Bannimantap, while bullock carts with a woman holding the reins of the cattle was an added attraction. Girls dressed as Mother Teresa, Kittur Rani Channamma, Akka Mahadevi, Onake Obavva and other personalities led the procession, along with women performing artistes.

Placards carrying the slogans of women’s empowerment and the portraits of Mother Teresa, Maths wizard Shakuntala Devi and ace shuttler Saina Nehwal who recently catapulted to number one ranking, added colour to the rally.