Choice Debate Settled - #MyChoice (C on Day 3 of A to Z Challenge 2015)

I have always believed that fights over gender roles crush individuality.

As a society we end up creating segments in our minds man-woman, male-female and girl-boy. Thus #HerChoice and #HisChoice was created.

I am referring to "My Choice" Directed By Homi Adajania - Vogue Empower that features Deepika Padukone and 98 other women.

And a vast number of people have taken offensive exception to the line - sex outside marriage, my choice. The purpose to urge patriarchy to recognize that women have a choice too, has lost in fiery debates crying over. Men (and other societal forces) went bonkers with fear that their 'property' could sleep outside of marriage. It is sad that the society wants to take control of our choices. But there are many of us who refuse to make small, big, everyday life's decisions based on societal perception of right and wrong. We challenge ourselves out of a rut the society has created. We fight - our families, friends and silent onlookers.

A friend aptly puts the crux of this debate - The short film is simply a note that - stop manipulating a woman, they are equally capable of making their own choices and a man (society) strictly has no right to dominate her decisions. 

Caption:
Before being categorized under a gender, we are all individuals

We may get killed us if we show dissent and we see it in the name of 'Honour'. People (read Society) are scared that Deepika's followers might take her comments seriously and follow her and not use a mind of their own. This debate makes me wonder if you (read Society) as a parent doubt your (read Societal) upbringing. Because out of all the years you (read Society) have associated with your (read Societal) child, a less than three minute video can change?

If we grow up our kids to have a mind of their own, to distinguish between the right and wrong then it must not bother us.

If you are scared that youngsters will be trapped - then
A. Keep your upbringing strong
B. Allow them to make mistakes, they will be wiser.

Society, your flawed upbringing laced with morally righteous is hollow. You are being hypocrites, sexists, misogynists by shamming Deepika's acceptance to the concept of open marriages. Because if she does or anybody does, it is between those involved in the matrimonial setup.

A woman faintly hinting at open marriage is not acceptable and men (read Society) fear losing their dearly held 'property' (read Women) to someone. 

If it is a man - it is manly, and when it is a woman it is a whorish?

Society, it shakes our double standards - be it Deepika or a non celebrity we all have to have the liberty of opinion.

Let's settle the Choice debate with an individualistic message #MyChoice, applicable equally to all (Men, Women, Other).

Author's Note: When we ask for a just (gender neutral) society, we are tagged as Fem Nazis. Feminism is taken in wrong spirits by many. I am not blaming all men, so before someone comments here that all men are not the same, let's not forget that even all women are not the same. Allow us to be. Period.

Don't start the Indian Sanskriti Drama, you make it look ugly not just to me but to the world. 

P.S.: Choice Debate Settled - #MyChoice for C - April 3, 2015. My third post for the A to Z April Challenge.

Bans, Boycotts and Bharat (India) (B on Day 2 of A to Z Challenge 2015)

It was somewhere in the midst of Ban and Boycotts for Bharat (India) - A facade my country has started to don lately.

Here is a quick recap of bans on creativity and choices we make as individuals.
(This is not comprehensive list and in no order of preference):

1. India's Daughter was banned because it projects bad image of India. BBC was sent a notice by the Indian authorities and the documentary was taken down from the internet.

Un-ban our choices, Un-ban our freedom
Source - Google 

2. It was in the midst of a Beef Ban (cow slaughter ban) imposed in Maharashtra as Cow is worshiped by Hindus (majority religion in India) and Indian authorities are presumably stepping towards Hindu theocracy (overshadowing India's secular constitution). Cows will receive legal protection and mug shots with identity proofs are being created. The ban is likely to be extended across the country.

3. It was a ban that Un-freedom Movie was subjected to for focusing on homosexuality as it can promote unnatural passion.

4. Kalki Koechlin's 'Margarita With A Straw' cleared by Censor Board with only one cut - of a 12-second kissing scene. It is a film about a woman with cerebral palsy coming to terms with her queer sexuality.

5. The word Bombay beeped out of Mihir Joshi's songtrack 'Sorry' because it is 'offensive' to use primitive nomenclature (Bombay) for Mumbai. The track is a conversation between a father and his daughter and I wrote it after the Nirbhaya Gang rape case in December 2012.ay

Here are the lyrics of the song:

I am sorry sweetheart

This is the world I am giving you today. 

It is the same thing no matter what you read… 

From Delhi to Bombay. I wish it was different darling...

Wish you could feel nice and safe. 

But the world’s gone crazy, I don't know what to say’
6. Amendments to Section 66 A of the Information Technology Act was aimed at banning my liberty to speak my mind online. Thankfully the Supreme Court of India rendered it unconstitutional. And I am relieved as my Facebook updates will not invite an arrest order from the authorities on grounds of offensive, while I attempt to show my dissent.

7. Creators of All India Bakchod Roost were forced to take down the video from Youtube as it breached Indian values. Outcry over creative cinematic ventures like Haider, PK are not alien to Indians. And even the infamous movie 50 Shades of Grey made to banned items in India.

As I write this post, I am enraged. I have a question for those who support these bans and promote boycotts in the name of our nation. So as individuals, what are we (we refers to those who are impacted by these bans)?  

Are we heading adolescence?
Are we rash bunch of brats who are to be disciplined?
Are we incapable of making decisions?
Do we have to project a regressive face of development to the world today?
Do we really in need of writing a oligarchy for generations to come?
Are we a nation where people need to be fed on the right idea of entertainment, food, religion and music?
Do we have hold years old values paramount and fail to walk with the times?
Do we really have to be controlled for the choices we make as individuals?

THE ANSWER TO EACH OF THE QUESTION LISTED ABOVE IS A BIG LOUD SHOUT OF A 'Damn NO'.

My nation Bharat (India) is becoming all about Bans, Boycott, Bigotry. We do not need this? We are able enough to make the right choices as individuals. And we are liberated enough to make the wrong choices. Do not make decisions for me. My soul suffocates and curse you.

Ban mongers - If you do not like it, choose to avoid it. Please do not make decisions for me. I do not need your wisdom!

Author's Note: Impose a blanket Ban on Injustice, Hypocrisy, Corrupt, Bigots, Small Thinkers, Shallow Minds, Sexists, Rapists, Crime, Violence...

Ban the wrong. Ban it today - you need not ban anything else! I detest those mindless bans that take away my freedom of making choices, my freedom of deriving solace or getting a high to bring out my creativity.

P.S. Bans, Boycotts and Bharat (India) on B - April 2, 2015. My second post for the A to Z April Challenge.

In Solidarity with Perumal Murugan

What I saw was what pained me.
It was a huge mass of accumulated fodder.
I was forced to swallow an unwelcoming hospitality.
As a guest to them I had to gobble a filthy dish.
I took my leave, held my breath and ran away.
But that mass wanted to get out of me.
Pushing out through my esophagus.
A dish laced with morality, deity and priests.
Was causing a suffocating nauseating sensation.
Pinching me inside of me like nails.
Hammering on the inside of my skin.
I threw up and they were words.
Simply a permutation and combination.
Of 26 alphabets and two punctuation.
My words pinched them.
But their bullying, abuses and threats broke me.
I tried to hide those words, the books and everything.
And now I let those words cause me pain.
I die everyday.

Source: Google Search

P.S: This is in solidarity with Perumal Murugan, a Tamil Author bullied by right wing activists for a controversial novel, gave up his writing career.

Read Who 'killed' Indian author Perumal Murugan?

Author's Note: Come ahead and show your solidarity for a land of law. 
Sign petition here>> http://chn.ge/1CqK2Es 

Bring your support to ask
‪#‎WhoKilledPansare‬ 
#‎WhoKilledDabholkar‪ 
#WhoKilledWriterMurugan 
#‎StandUpWithMurugan‬ 
#‎WeWantJustice‬

Irony of asking Aamir Khan to Shut Up.

Of late many developments in the political arena has kept my Facebook feed busy. Mostly it is enlightening, to know what is happening in the world and be acquainted to varied opinions, at times it is frustrating, at times it is funny, and at times it brings out hypocrisy of our society. AIB controversy has been one of them. About the content of AIB - I cannot talk much because I have not seen it. And I did not see it because I choose not to!

A star studded event and some laughs offended those who believe that it went against the basic tenants of Hinduism. AIB took off the video (which was uploaded on YouTube and adhered to the guidelines of YouTube). Then Anushka Sharma made a statement, and them came Aamir Khan. Aamir's opinion was widely circulated. You may view his reaction here (I will dissociate with the caption of this video)>>

Some bashing him, some disagreeing, some agreeing with him and some inferring what he did not state. And then people start bringing the Delhi Belly - DK Bose, dig out his opinions on creativity, poking fun at him, memes of his statements from Satyamev Jayte... This was all right!

It started getting disturbing when Aamir was asked to shut up, coming from Russel Peters asking Aamir to shut up. One may disagree with Aamir Khan, but wanting him shut up is ‪#ironical‬ about the whole ‪#‎AIB‬ debate. When we seek freedom of thought, creativity, words, ideas, protest, humour, name-calling, et al we ourselves need to put us in that situation where we are at the receiving end. ‪

Source: Google Search

While I believe that his statement was balanced - he did not bash AIB, neither did he bash the action against AIB - he upheld the legal course. The essence of his thought was - if you like it you watch it, he did not like it and found it emotionally violent (disturbing). He scold his friends and that is quite a personal talk, which was brought up in the course of discussion during a public forum.

Parting Note: Arnub tries to find the true meaning of 'Freedom Of Speech', as he invites the creators and the people they offended in a scintillating debate.

P.S.: Whoever feels that Aamir should shut up, do not understand freedom of speech.

5 Saal Kejriwal - A Thumping Victory

Not always do you feel this happy, do you? All the AAPtards (AAPians) say aye!

Source - Google Search

A thumping mandate to AAP means reaching to next level of responsibility. It cannot afford to get in a shell of arrogance, overconfidence and shamming personalities. Personally I have had a disconnect with the way any government functions - old fellas shouting in assembly, breaking benches, mics, and creating nuisance. Many of us feel so gloomy with the thought of being face to face with a politician. AAP brings a new face to politics - happy smiling fellas - talking of democracy, new age governance, no corruption and all those fancy promises a Delhite wants to live.

Debate is on whether it is a loss of BJP of not. I would have given benefit of doubt to BJP if it was a close election. But a thumping mandate surely speak a lot. Just 3 seats that go into the kitty of BJP (who projected Modi as the face of campaign) against 67 seats bagged but AAP. I see this as Modi's loss (being the face of BJP during the campaign) than Bedi's loss, who became the face just 2 week before the campaign.

Here are some of contrasts between BJP and AAP:

• Modi's monologue vs Kejriwal's dialogue
• Image shamming tactic by BJP vs Smiling (easy-talker) AAP spokespersons
• BJP's vague vision vs AAP's agenda for Delhi
• PM doning 10 lakh fashion grandiosity vs a Mufflerman as Delhi CM
• Religious intolerance vs discrediting religion from governance
• BJP's 9 months into power vs AAP's 49 days
• BJP's hush campaigns vs AAP's apology
• BJP's donning as protector of women by making them stay indoors vs Kejriwal's CCTV plan
• Modi's achievements front page Advertisements (which are pegged as violation of election commission's guidelines) vs Volunteers with Jhaarus and AAP Caps

Better quality of life wins over than religious derision and ill treatment of quite protesters (I am referring to Cathedral incident). I found many people tagging non-capitalist leadership spread of AAP as a threat. But hang on - the real threat is a real criminal, a mass murderer, a rapist, a person who carries a crime on his cuffs. A socialist, an activist, a democrat, a feminist, etc are ideologies not crime. While capitalist agenda should be followed, the government must not become a machinery to feed the corporate and suffocate humanity.

Author's Note: I would leave you with this thought:
Rape laws must be pegged over IT acts (do we need 5 years for that?)
Uniform Civil Code over Hindu Rashtra (do we need 5 years to put this in place?)
Disability pension for armed forces must not be scrapped (especially when we get so patriotic about Army keeping us safe)

P.S.: An Aam Aadmi has been made into a khaas aadmi by the Aam Aadmi of Delhi. 
I am not going to be a blind follower. Hope ‪#‎AAP‬ sticks for long. Stays honest and true to its core values. Delhites are not easy to fool. Congratulations ‪#‎Aaptards‬ ‪#‎Aapians‬!   Make AAP deliver and keep pushing the Aam Aadmi Party towards best governance. It cannot afford to flounder!

Reservation Relaoded

The advent of reservations.. We know all that SC/ST/OBC/ Gujjar/Jat/ Muslim/Christians/General Category  story, lets take a look at a refreshing reloaded version!

Reservation Part 1: The implementation of Direct Taxes code was not taken up in the national Union Budget 2012-13. In addition to Income tax people are forced to pay more service tax as well. Despite surge in inflation, there is a gap of equivalent appraisals. Rupee's value against Dollar is uncontrollably high and the value of gold is shining everywhere than on page 3. Sad we are forced to read all these bland news everyday!

Reservation Part 2: 
Your daily SMS limit has been reserved to 20 per day. This has been decided by the government as a lot of SMSes, degrading the government, were doing the rounds. And like an abla naari, she had to protect her integrity!

And the funniest of all is the Reservation Part 3: Seemingly agitated with the stride of protests in the Indian national capital, the administrators have  decided to go aggressive with their autocracies. Now that the police was done with the implementation of section 144, and knowing that amending one of the fundamental rights to protest is not possible, they have another nasty trick in place.

Excerpts from the Times of India Article posted online..

But with Delhi Police reportedly proposing to restrict entry to the grounds with barriers in the wake of recent anti-corruption protests at the site, and seeking to impose visiting hours citing security reasons, this way of life seems threatened.  

Complete article is available here

Be it any activity, crime, of a call to call off corruption, the government doesn't think about the ways to solve the issue, but sadly endorse LIMITED ACCESS! With this the sick though they have come a step ahead of its ways of 'reservation'.. Reserving our right to visit places in our own country.

Author's Note: This government does not let a pout of fresh air come in.. I don't want the government to be a nagging neighbourhood aunty. It want it to be someone with the style and pleasant personality as a 5 star waiter!

Caged

I look out through strands of steel.

I fail to chase the beaming streams.

I am trapped without hope and zeal.

I am caged and want to break free!

For the remainig part of the verse, Click HERE

Caged!

I look out through strands of steel.

I fail to chase the beaming streams.

I am trapped without hope and zeal.

I am caged and want to break free!

My wings get torned when I flutter them.

My beak gets hurt when I eat from the golden bin.

My eyes cannot see beyond concrete screen.

My cage is where I live and dream.

I want to fly up high.

Reaching for the streams and endless skies.

I wish to swap my wing to great highs.

And reside on the branches of green serene.

Author's Note: I am against caging of living beings, not just birds, eve fish are miserable inside an aquarium. Its not just the fact that theyare trapped, but each time they reach at the glas walls of the aquarium, they cannot see the glass wall, and get banged on to it. Lets not treat them are decorative pieces. Let each being be freaa as a flowing stream. Let us pledge to not and never to cage a being.