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Behind Closed Doors: Domestic Violence in India
This powerful book deals with the complex problem of domestic violence in India. Based on the narratives of 17 women from diverse socioeconomic and caste backgrounds, the author locates the problem in the larger societal context and analyzes a range of physical, psychological, non-physical, social and cultural aspects of the abuse of women.
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First published June 1, 2004
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March 10, 2020
Almost every other Indian movie of yesteryear had the almost obligatory scene of the "bad" woman (the abusive mother-in law, the evil stepmother, the "disobedient" wife) being chastised (read: beaten up) by her long-suffering husband and shown the error of her ways. The beatings ranged from a slap on the cheek (for the "mild" offenders) to horrendous beatings which went on for minutes. And the audience invariably applauded - I am ashamed to say that I was also part of that crowd.
I was reminded of this as I read this seminal work on domestic violence, edited by Rinki Bhattacharya. As I went through the horrendous tales of these battered women, I was hanging my head in shame as I remembered how I also once enjoyed scenes of women getting "disciplined". As is made clear in the book, this is a malady which has its root deep in Indian culture - from its mythology (Sati-Savitri-Sita) to its popular culture. The role of the "wife" as the one person mainly responsible for keeping the family, and therefore society, intact - whatever the cost to her physical and mental health - has almost institutionalised domestic violence as part of marriage.
This book is divided into six parts including the introduction. In the introduction, the editor gives an overview of her experience in helping victims of domestic violence, as well as her experience in making the documentary Char Deewari (Four Walls) about battered women. The narratives of those women comprise the third (and major part of the book). In the first part, Anwesha Arya examines the concept of the Goddess in Indian mythology, and how her deification and subsequent conversion to Ardhanareeswara (Androgynous God) systemically put her on a pedestal, at the same time objectifying her. In the second part, Shobha Venkatesh Ghosh analyses the strong societal prejudices among polity, police, judiciary and family which prevent any effective legislation being implemented against domestic violence in India (remember the resistance of our judiciary to consider marital rape as rape). Part four by Kalindi Majumdar talks about police action (or rather, lack of it) in cases of wife-beating. And in part five, Rinki Bhattacharya rounds it all off with ideas on where we have reached on this distressing issue and how to move ahead.
The book is a real eye-opener. The narratives of the victims proved that domestic violence straddles all borders of religion, caste, class, economic position, educational status, and linguistic identity. In India, we have an amazing unity among men when it comes to physically and mentally abusing one's wife! And even more distressing is the fact that most of the women accept it and live with futile dreams of "reforming" the blackguard. And for those brave enough to come out, further hurdles appeared in the form of police who turned a blind eye; lawyers who refused to take cases; and their own family who refused to take their daughter back. The chains of culture are stronger than tempered steel!
It is heartening that changes are happening, albeit in slow fashion. But what I took away from this book was that legislation is not the real solution. The woman has to be taught to stand on her own legs, and be economically and socially independent. And for that, we must work hard to increase the Indian woman's feeling of self-worth. Our much touted "sanskar" (culture) must be drastically remoulded or rejected in toto.
An uphill task indeed.
I was reminded of this as I read this seminal work on domestic violence, edited by Rinki Bhattacharya. As I went through the horrendous tales of these battered women, I was hanging my head in shame as I remembered how I also once enjoyed scenes of women getting "disciplined". As is made clear in the book, this is a malady which has its root deep in Indian culture - from its mythology (Sati-Savitri-Sita) to its popular culture. The role of the "wife" as the one person mainly responsible for keeping the family, and therefore society, intact - whatever the cost to her physical and mental health - has almost institutionalised domestic violence as part of marriage.
This book is divided into six parts including the introduction. In the introduction, the editor gives an overview of her experience in helping victims of domestic violence, as well as her experience in making the documentary Char Deewari (Four Walls) about battered women. The narratives of those women comprise the third (and major part of the book). In the first part, Anwesha Arya examines the concept of the Goddess in Indian mythology, and how her deification and subsequent conversion to Ardhanareeswara (Androgynous God) systemically put her on a pedestal, at the same time objectifying her. In the second part, Shobha Venkatesh Ghosh analyses the strong societal prejudices among polity, police, judiciary and family which prevent any effective legislation being implemented against domestic violence in India (remember the resistance of our judiciary to consider marital rape as rape). Part four by Kalindi Majumdar talks about police action (or rather, lack of it) in cases of wife-beating. And in part five, Rinki Bhattacharya rounds it all off with ideas on where we have reached on this distressing issue and how to move ahead.
The book is a real eye-opener. The narratives of the victims proved that domestic violence straddles all borders of religion, caste, class, economic position, educational status, and linguistic identity. In India, we have an amazing unity among men when it comes to physically and mentally abusing one's wife! And even more distressing is the fact that most of the women accept it and live with futile dreams of "reforming" the blackguard. And for those brave enough to come out, further hurdles appeared in the form of police who turned a blind eye; lawyers who refused to take cases; and their own family who refused to take their daughter back. The chains of culture are stronger than tempered steel!
It is heartening that changes are happening, albeit in slow fashion. But what I took away from this book was that legislation is not the real solution. The woman has to be taught to stand on her own legs, and be economically and socially independent. And for that, we must work hard to increase the Indian woman's feeling of self-worth. Our much touted "sanskar" (culture) must be drastically remoulded or rejected in toto.
An uphill task indeed.
May 16, 2024
This powerful book deals with the complex problem of domestic violence in India. Based on the narratives of 17 women from diverse socioeconomic and caste backgrounds, the author locates the problem in the larger societal context and analyzes a range of physical, psychological, non-physical, social and cultural aspects of the abuse of women.
Rinki Bhattacharya gives a very to the point introduction that ours is a patriarchal society of male domination paving up the way for women subjugation and ill treatment by those whom they love and depend on, mainly their life partner. In Indian culture, the status of women is always minor, before marriage under the father and after marriage under the husband and in widowhood, under the son.
The Tamil Proverb, ‘girls are plants growing in neighbourhood courtyard’ has been quoted to show that women are thought as burdensome for whom dowry has to be given, and hence denouncing female children is not at all a crime in Indian society.
Not only in India, but women are ill treated world wide. In china, their foots are binded for beautification, their genital parts are mutilated in Sudan, Africa, middle east and Egypt which kills them.
Chapter first by Anwesha Arya deals with How could women be marginalised like this in a country which worships the female form of Shakti, as the Goddess, or Devi?
Chapter 2 by Shobha Vekatesh Ghosh deals the legal aspect of our country in regards to domestic violence. She says that legislators and administrators are quick to pass bill when it comes to marital rape, dowry, sati, procurement of minority for prostitution, when it comes to domestic violence, law is not forth coming. This is because of the patriarchal nature of our society and the class structure coupled with religious ideologies pertaining to the status of woman forbids them passing any legal sanction regarding domestic violence.
Chapter 3 covers the history of brutality committed on 17 women by their spouse or life partner.
Chapter 4 deals with police attitude towards women facing domestic violence. One should not forget that the police force is predominantly male who comes form male dominated, patriarchal Indian culture. Hence they have the attitude that women need to be subdued. They feel that women give false FIR cases and convince them to join with their husband inspite of their life being in danger form their husband.
In chapter 5, There is a road-map for support to victims at the end of the book, which could come in very handy. The services available are temporary and inadequate unlike in western countries where they have centers which caters to the needs of women and children involved in domestic violence and help them to make a fresh start along with legislation to support such women comes in handy which is not that forthcoming in our country.
A must read for those working in the field and those seeking an understanding of and a way out of the mess. This powerful book is a tribute to the courage and determination of women who decided to break their silence. The book will inspire other victims of this 'hidden crime', to speak out, share their plight and change their fate.
Rinki Bhattacharya gives a very to the point introduction that ours is a patriarchal society of male domination paving up the way for women subjugation and ill treatment by those whom they love and depend on, mainly their life partner. In Indian culture, the status of women is always minor, before marriage under the father and after marriage under the husband and in widowhood, under the son.
The Tamil Proverb, ‘girls are plants growing in neighbourhood courtyard’ has been quoted to show that women are thought as burdensome for whom dowry has to be given, and hence denouncing female children is not at all a crime in Indian society.
Not only in India, but women are ill treated world wide. In china, their foots are binded for beautification, their genital parts are mutilated in Sudan, Africa, middle east and Egypt which kills them.
Chapter first by Anwesha Arya deals with How could women be marginalised like this in a country which worships the female form of Shakti, as the Goddess, or Devi?
Chapter 2 by Shobha Vekatesh Ghosh deals the legal aspect of our country in regards to domestic violence. She says that legislators and administrators are quick to pass bill when it comes to marital rape, dowry, sati, procurement of minority for prostitution, when it comes to domestic violence, law is not forth coming. This is because of the patriarchal nature of our society and the class structure coupled with religious ideologies pertaining to the status of woman forbids them passing any legal sanction regarding domestic violence.
Chapter 3 covers the history of brutality committed on 17 women by their spouse or life partner.
Chapter 4 deals with police attitude towards women facing domestic violence. One should not forget that the police force is predominantly male who comes form male dominated, patriarchal Indian culture. Hence they have the attitude that women need to be subdued. They feel that women give false FIR cases and convince them to join with their husband inspite of their life being in danger form their husband.
In chapter 5, There is a road-map for support to victims at the end of the book, which could come in very handy. The services available are temporary and inadequate unlike in western countries where they have centers which caters to the needs of women and children involved in domestic violence and help them to make a fresh start along with legislation to support such women comes in handy which is not that forthcoming in our country.
A must read for those working in the field and those seeking an understanding of and a way out of the mess. This powerful book is a tribute to the courage and determination of women who decided to break their silence. The book will inspire other victims of this 'hidden crime', to speak out, share their plight and change their fate.
July 1, 2019
Must read material to complete ones all round education about our social issues, issues that have always remained in the secret domain, not discussed openly, but issues that have a scary and dangerous impact on the society as a whole
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews