Many times, we have been asked this heartbreaking question –
Why women don’t stand for other women?
Why women tend to pull other women down?
Why sometimes women become an agent of society patriarchal mindset and bully one of her own?
Why women judge other women for their choices?
If you have also wondered this, then this particular story of this strong and brave woman will restore your hope in womanhood. This inspiring Aunty would make you feel the intense desire to stand out and not become part of a patriarchal society. A society that shames one of your own.
How not letting the patriarchal society tame her thinking, this woman not only stood for another woman, who was the victim of domestic abuse, but also for the non-judgemental progressive thoughts. Here’s her inspiring story shared with HOB:
“I got married at 12 — It was considered normal back then but now when I think about it, I realize how absurd it was to have married so young! But I feel so lucky to have grown up with this generation — I absolutely love how out-spoken and strong-willed youngsters today are!
I think I was meant to be born in this generation — because I’ve not tolerated any injustice I’ve witnessed ever since my marriage.
Once, this young man, a far-off relative I knew was in love with a Muslim woman and wanted to marry her. His mom was furious and said, ‘if a bahu comes into this house, she will be Hindu and she will be my choice, not yours’.
When I heard about this, I asked to meet her. When she agreed, I told her, ‘your son has looked after you all these years, and you obviously love him. So why wouldn’t you want his happiness? Look at how intelligent and kind she is! Why wouldn’t you want her as your daughter-in-law?’ I managed to convince both families and now they’re happily married!
This other time, I heard banging and screaming noises from our neighbours’ house. I found out that the middle-aged woman living there was being beaten by her nephew who was demanding money from her. I went there, made him open the door and told him to watch himself. When he told me to mind my own business, I said, ‘Beta, give me your phone. Let me call the police. Then this will be their business’ I called the police, got him arrested and told him, ‘If I see you beating her again, I will break your hands’.
I fail to understand what joy people get from dampening others’ lives. Why should one have any power over how someone dresses, who they love, what they eat, what caste or class they should marry, or what they choose to do with their lives? Mein toh bas yehi kehti rehti hoon — jeeyo, aur jeene do yaar — tum apna dekho, hum apna dekhenge!”
This woman’s attitude shows how our society needs a strong and independent woman more than ever. The strong and independent woman that never pulls other women down, rather she pulls them up.
At IFORHER, we salute this woman and hope many more would seek inspiration from her to stand for those who couldn’t stand for themselves.